slashing and cutting all that euer they could reach and some they cloue from the head downe vnto the girdell with the which their aduersaries receiued so great feare that they fled before them as sheepe before wolues on the contrarie part the two brethren dyd such maruailes and wonders vpon the Paganes that their déedes were to be noted that day therewithal the first two battailes were ioyned together which was as gallant a sight to be séene as euer was the brauerie of the knightes was such for that in the forefront came the twelue kinges Giantes with the two thousand that came with them from their Ilands against whome there went to receiue them twelue knights of the Godos who séeing them so great and huge vpon the Elephants made their encounter in such sort that the one and the other were ouerthrowen to the ground likewise all y e rest made their encounters so that in a moment there were more then ten thousand ouerthrowen and their horses roming about the fielde fighting one with an other so that betwixt them there was a new battaile begunne here in this conflict did the knights of Spaine show their great valour for that there was none that did make their resistance with so great force against those Gyants killing some of them and recâ—uing their owne deathes with great courage In this battaile Don Claros slew one of the twelue knights of Bradaman with a speare that he thrust through and through his bodie with a forcible and strong encounter And Arcalus slewe an other with the strength of his arme in tormenting him with his terrible blowes vppon the head which was the occasion that they were in great perill of death if that the valiaunt knights of Spaine had not come in time to haue succored them for that a great number of those monsters had compassed them about who were mightie and verie strong so that those two valiant bretheren should euill haue escaped their hands but being ioyned together their battaile was more equall then before and better fought yet all dyd profit verye little the Christians for the getting of the field for that the bushment of those Orientall Gyants made so great slaughter amongst them that they were not able to make any resistance but to receiue cruel death On the other side was those infernal pagans father sonne Bradaman and Bramarant killing and slaying with great crueltie all that euer they could reach with their swords they made so great destruction that it séemed there were not people enough in y e campe for to hold them play that daye which was the occasion that within halfe an houre after that the battaile was begon the Christians began to lose ground and to retyre towards their armie and in some place they were not content to retyre little and little but turned their backes and ranne away all that euer they could in especial there whereas was Bradaman and Bramarant and the rest of the other Gyants who were sufficient for to destroy a whole armie Then when that Don Siluario sawe that the Christians lost ground he straight waies commaunded y â— all those of his charge should march forwards who straight waies with great fiercenesse put themselues into the battaile at whose entre many of the Pagans lost their liues and the Christians began to get ground againe but straight waies that mightie knight Rodaran and the king of Media and the other kings that were with him put themselues â—orwards with their people and when they came vnto the battaile by reason that they were so many and their captaines so valiant they did make great slaughter vpon their came in the enimies and to conclude the power of their enimies was so great that they made the Christians to runne awaye almost round about the fielde in such sort that the valiant knights of spaine could not succour them for that they were enclosed in battailing with the Gyants and had enough to doe to defende themselues from them Then straight vpon that came in the knig hts of Hungaria at whose entrie the battale was renewed and began to get ground and had put them to the foyle if that the third armie of the Pagans had not stepped forwards in the which came that worthie prince Meridian and the stout knight Brandimardo who entred into y e battaile with so great furie that that day was wonderfull vnto the Christians and knew not how and in what sort the Emperour Trebatio should haue so great a power of knights and gyants except they should come out of Persia for that they knew and vnderstoode that all that countrie were in great friendship with the knight of the Sunne and manie there were that repented themselues of their comming into Grecia in especiall Don Siluerio when he saw so great destruction amongst his men and the field so full of dead bodies the teares fell from his eyes with the great sorow griefe which he receiued at his heart and accused himselfe of the euill counsell which he gaue vnto the king Oliuero When that two howers was passed since the beginning of the battaile all the people of his part began to retire for that they could not suffer the great furie of the Pagans so that of verie force and necessitie it did accomplish the king Oliuerio to enter into battaile with all those knights that remained on his charge who were manie in number and verie good And although the Pagans were Lordes of the field yet at their comming they lost all that euer they had got before and the battaile renewed and better fought and the field so full of dead bodies that the liuing could scarce passe for them Here was to be noted the diuelishnesse of Bramarant and his father and the high knighthood of Meridian and of Brandimardo and of that stout knight Rodaran and of the king of Media that it might be saide they were sepulchres vnto the Christians which was not a litle griefe vnto Rosicleer who from that little hill did behold all that passed for to sée so much Christian bloud so spilt and shed with those heathenish Pagans although he thought all might be well suffered for to eschue a greater inconuenience that vnto the contrarie might happen vnto Christendome To conclude the day passed awaie and there remained no more but one houre of the Sunne setting when that the battaile was in equall sorte and the one got no ground of the other but followed their entresse the one killing the other without all pittie at which time the fourth armie of the Pagans entred which were many in number and entred with so great furie into the battaile that those of the king Oliuerio not being able to suffer their force began to loose ground The which being perceiued by Rosicleer that by no meanes they could not but be ouercome and dispersed as one that was a good knight verie pittifull would vse charitie with them for that the king Oliuerio was Father vnto the princesse Oliuia
there was small resistance to be made for that these worthie and estéemed knights of Grecia had inough to doe to make resistance against the giants of Campion which was the occasion that all his people when the night drew on began to retire and to loose ground a little and little the which being considered of by the Emperour â—rebatio and fearing the great perill that might happen vnto his people he 〈◊〉 vnto Rodaran that if he thought good to leaue off their battaile contention vntill the next daie for that as then it was verie late he would Then Rodaran hauing that offer as one y â— desired no other thing withdrew himselfe the Emperour perceiuing the night at hand blew a rich horne of Iuorie that hée had at his neck the which being knowen by his people they began to withdraw themselues and to retire towards the Citie the like did the Pagans retire towardes their treâ—ches sauing onelie Bradaman and Bramarant his sonne who was so fleshed in killing and slaying and shedding of bloud that hée followed the Gréekes almost vnto the Citie before they would retire neither at that time woulde they haue returned but that the valiant Rosicleer with all those worthie knights returned vpon them so that betwixt them there began a terrible and cruell battaile for that Bramarant stroke such cruell blowes at the stout Oristedes and the Tartarian Zoylo that with two alonelie strokes hée amazed and lefte them without remembraunce and made the bloud to gush out at their mouths and noses at which season came Brandizel and stroke him such an ouerthwart blowe vppon his healme that he depriued him of his sight made him somewhat astonied but Brandizel departed not boasting of this blow for that Bramarant turning himselfe about with his sword in both his handes so saluted him that he had fallen to the ground if that he had not embraced himselfe with his horse necke In like manner Bradaman intreated the strong Florion and Clauerindo for that at two blowes he left them without remembrance at which instant came Rosicleer with the good Emperor Trebatio and with them the king Sacridoro in such sort they began to deale their blowes vpon those furious Pagans and knights that were in their companie that it séemed to be no other thing but a Smiths forge for that the great noise of their blowes were heard throughout the whole armie and although it was night yet there repaired an infinit number of Pagans to aide and help them but yet for all that they would not abide séeing how stronglie they were assaulted and laide on vppon a sodaine they set spurs vnto their mightie horse and Elephant and ranne through the rout of knights like a whirle winde and went towards their owne campe as diuells that came new out of hell méeting by the waie more than one hundreth thousand Pagans that came to helpe them and béeing night they all retourned vnto their trenches together but Bramarant was so farre out of charitie and angrie because that one alone knight had almost all that daie maintained the field against him that he would not come in the presence of the Emperour Alycandro till such time as hee in person came vnto his tent and taking both father sonne by the hands he carried them both vnto his tent whereas he did them so much honour as vnto his owne person and praysed verie much the meruailous déeds the which he did that daie because he would giue them contentment for that in the great force and strength of these two the Emperour had better confidence than in all the kings and Captaines together in all his whole armie The same night hée did inuite to supper in his Emperiall Tent all the most principall amongst them whereas they were together with great ioy pleasure and pastimes although it grieued them verie much the death of their kings which the Emperour Trebatio â—â—ew and there was not one amongst them all that was so hardie as to praise the high déedes of knighthoode the which were done by Rosicleer the Emperour Trebatio and the other worthie knightes their aduersaries of whome they were greatlie amazed for that they would not giue anie occasion of anger vnto Bradaman and Bramarant that were present who in the time that they were at supper so frowned and shewed so ill fauoured a countenance fierce semblance that it caused feare in all them that did behold them At this time the Gréekes were entered into the Citie and being all lodged euerie one according vnto his calling they all supped with the Emperour in his mightie pallace whereas they had inough for to declare of the mightie power of the two Pagans and of the wonders which they dyd in the battaile which was the occasion that of new they felt the lacke of the knight of the Sunne in saying that he and his brother Rosicleer were sufficient for to make resistance against those furious beasts who had made so great slaughter amongst the Gréekes So that night passed and the next daie in the morning the dead bodies that appeared in the field were of so great quantitie that they were constrained by reason of the euill sauour that did procéede from them to take truce for a certaine time for to burie the dead burne the other So ther was ordained a truce for x. daies in which time the Gréekes dyd burie the Christians and the Pagans did burne them of their Nation so that the whole field was cléered of all the dead bodies And leauing them at this present the Hystorie returneth to declare of manâ—e other things that happened in the meane time How the Prince Meridian had vnderstanding of the comming of his father into Grecia how he tooke the Princesse Floralindia out of her fathers pallace and departed from Macedonia came into the camp of his father hauing first in the waie battaile with the stout Brandimardo Chap. 23. OF long time this Hystorie hath not told you anie thing of the valiant worthie Prince Meridian not for that hée in all this time was vnoccupied and that his déedes deserued not to haue anie rehearâ—all thereof but onelie for to conclude and make an end of this first part of the mightie Hystorie of the knight of the Sunne and of Rosicleer his brother which is the occasion that héere his acts cannot bée mentioned perticularlie but remaineth and it declareth vnto you all those things which are requisite touching this present historie of the knight of the Sunne You shall vnderstand that the Prince Meridian was one of the most noted Knightes that was amongst all the Pagans who for the loue of the Princesse Floralindia turned Christian and dyd after such valyant déedes of Knighthood that hée alone deserued a Hystorie to bée written but now that which is requisite at this present is that in the time that hée was in the kingdome of Macedonia dooing many notable thinges in the seruice of the Princesse Floralindia who
talke which they had was verie barbarous and strange so that these knights could not vnderstand them for it séemed to be a kinde of howling or bleating but when they came nigh vnto them they were greatly amazed to sée people so brutish staied themselues not knowing what to say These barbarous monsters wheÌ„ they saw them vpon the Horse backes and so richly armed straight waies one which semed to be the principal amongst them began to speake in their barbarous tongue making signes that they should alight come vnto the fire to warme them and to take part of their supper which was there a dressing So when the knights vnderstode their meanings the knight of the Sunne saide vnto Oristedes my very good friend what doe you thinke best that we doe Then Oristedes said Sir it séemes vnto mée requisite to do that which necessitie doth constraine vs that is that we alight go vnto the fier and suppe with this people for that colde hunger will not consent that we doe any other thing And afterward if they demaund of vs paiment for the shotte then is there your fine cutting sworde which will pay for vs all Be it done as you haue saide my very good friend Oristedes said the knight of the Sunne for that your bountie in what soeuer perill doth put vs in suretie but yet mée thinks it not requisite to sléepe much among this people And in saying these words these two worthie knights did alight and pulled the bridles from their Horses and gaue them leaue to féede on the gréene grasse of which there was great store so they came vnto the fier and sat themselues downe by the principall of them with their beuers lifted vp But when these barbarous people did sée them so faire and of so gallant disposition they all had a great good will for to kill them to eate them for that they hadde rather féede vpon humaine flesh when they may get it then of any other beast So that in their bleating speach they concluded amongst them for to execute their pretence And these knights for that they did not vnderstand them held their peace warmeing themselues by the fier making hast by signes that the supper were made readie for that 〈◊〉 were veris colde and hungerie So that when their â—â—â—ison and other meate was roasted all these company of barbarous people did set themselues vpon the ground round about their vittailes and began to teare it in péeces with their handes and to eate with lustie courages The chiefe captaine of them gaue vnto these knights of the Uenison for their parts who at that present made little account of the great abundance that they were wont to haue at the Emperour Alicandro his table and at the feasts of the Emprour Trebatio but fell vnto their vittailes with tooth and naile Yet that supper had cost them very déere if that the soueraigne creator had not remembred them For that in the best and chiefest time of their supper when most contentment these perfect friends receiued two of these barbarous Tartarians dissembling to serue the rest arose vp from their companie and toke eche of them a mightie great and heauie clubbe which they vsed for their weapon very softly without making any noyse they came behinde y â— two knights with all their sorce strength of both their hands they discharged their blowes vpon these two knights which did astonish them that they were out of all remembrance fell preseÌ„tly to y e ground whereas they moued neither hand nor foote but lay as though they had bene dead Then these barbarous Tartarians arose vp alogether and came for to vnarnie them verie glad for that which they had done but for that they had no experience in armour and neuer before had vnlased anie in more then a quarter of an houre there was not one of them that could lose anie péece therof nor knew not where nor which waie to begin but tumbling 〈◊〉 rounde about from one place vnto an other vewing of all partes but yet were they neuer the nearer in which time y e worthie knight of y â— Sunne receuing aire was wholie come to himselfe of perfect rememberaunce considering in what state they were brought with a trice in spite of all those barbarous people that did hold him he arose vppon his féete and finding by him his good sworde which was the best in all the world and that which hée won of the Prince Meridian he tooke 〈◊〉 both his hands and stroke such a blow at him that 〈◊〉 that he cut him a sunder by the wast that the two partes fell the one from the other dead to y â— grouÌ„d ther with he stroke at an other that was vnarming of Oristedes that his right arme with the whole quarter of the body he made flie to the earth not staying with that but with great courage and furie he put himselfe amongst the thickest of them wounding and killing all that he might fasten blows vpon but these Tartarians recouering their clubbes with loude cryings they did assault him on euerie syd charging him with mightie and terrible blowes but by reason that they were cleane without armour and this valiant and stoute knight in the heate of his furie in short speace by kiling of some and wounding of other some the rest ranne awaie for feare of his mortal blowes so that not one of all these barbarous Tartarians did remaine in sight This being concluded he was going towards his friend the Troyan Oristedes for to succour him who at that instaÌ„t was come vnto himselfe and with great courage and furie he arose vp thinking that his enimies hadde bene there still but loking about for them and seing so manie slaine and none in presence but the knight of the Sunne with great ioye and pleasure he went vnto him embracing him with great loue he saide now am I fullie certified and perswaded worthie and valiant knight that the high mightie soueraigne gods haue not forgot you but haue great and speciall care of your great valour the which is made maniefest vnto me in the preuenting of this present perill otherwise this supper had bene full dere vnto me Then the knight of the Sunne embracing of him saide The liuing god who knoweth the secret of all things would not consent that so worthie a knight as you are should be slaine by so great â—reason And his pleasure was for to deliuer mée by his bountifull goodnesse whereby I should make defence to saue vs both from so great rebuke and shame And now seeing that here is none for to disturbe vs Let vs sit downe and make an ende of our supper and take our rest here till to morow morning Let it be as you doe commaund saide Oristedes séeing that here is none to trouble vs therwith these two good companions did sette them selues downe and did eate of the vittailes that was there till they were
valiant knights who with great furie and shouts began to laie vpon their aduersaries and saying Upon them vpon them for they be ouercome But wheÌ„ Rosicleer hearâ— those wordes and sawe no other thing but perdition he began greater to lament y â— death of his friends more than his owne but that which did grieue him most was that after so many troubles sorrows the which he had passed for the Princesse Oliuia and had her in his power alwaiâ—s hoping at her hands to receiue reward for the same he should now be constrained therefore to die and to leaue her in the power of another hauing this in his remembraunce lifting vp his eies vnto heauen to aske mercie of God for his sinnes he sawe his welbeloued mistres in a sound in the armes of Fidelia as she which made no other reckoning but to die the which did cause vnto him so great dolour griefe that it kindled in him mortall wrath and ire determined to sell his life verie déere vnto them that so much desired his death wherewith hée tooke his sword in both his handes and stroke so terrible a blowe at the Captaine Bramides vppon the wast that cutting him in two péeces he ouerthrew him dead to the ground and therewith at other sixe blowes he slew other sixe knightes behauing himselfe so amongest them that they fled from him as from the death But hée as one that had his death certaine without anie care of his life all alone he maintained the battaile against the knightes of Don Siluerio for that his friends could not doe anie thing in his defence they weare so wearie And although the knights of Lusitania were valiant and did charge him with many heauie blowes that had bene sufficient to haue cloue amanfield in péeces yet did he defend the entrie of the ship alone for the space of halfe an houre against all the companie and had about him on euery side a great number of dead bodies shewing so great wonders among his aduersaries that it was scarce credible to the beholders Whereat Don Siluerio receiued great griefe to sée so many of his knights slain but yet he durst not come nigh him himselfe but forced his knights forwards with reproch that it was a shame to him that one alone knight shoulde make his defence so long against so many Who hearing those wordes made no more a doe but put their liues in aduenture for to accomplish that which was their deaths and therewith they leaped into the ship of Rosicleer and charged him so much with so many terrible and heauie blowes that it had not bene possible for him to haue indured long if that by the wonderfull myracle of God he had not bene succoured You shall vnderstand that fortune did serue him so wel that the ship wherein was that valiant and worthie knight of the Sunne and that stout Oristedes was constrained by the force of the storme and tempest past to enter into thâ— same port of Cerdenia and entering in thereat they straight waies did sée the execution of that cruell battaile and were greatlie amased to sée all the water so stained with bloud and how that one alone ship did make his defence against all the rest but when they sawe so few knightes did maintaine themselues against so great a multitude of their enimies their meruaile was the more and remained astonied for a great space to sée the incredible acts that Rosicleer dyd as one that was desperate of his own life which was with so great courage that if he had séene it with his owne eyes he could not haue beléeued that any humane creature could haue done it And as he was with great attention beholding them with great good will for to aide and helpe them The knight of the Sunne did know him by the deuice of his armour although that they were all to be raiâ—d with bloud as also by the comelie proportion of his bodie therewith vpon a sodaine with a loude voice he said O good God it séemeth vnto me that yonder knight should be Rosicleer my brother or els my sight doth deceiue me Oh my good friend now shew forth your great bountie to defend and saue the life of the person of him that I loue best in all the worlde Come on let vs go sayd Oristedes forâ—with verie good will I wil offer my selfe in anie thing that doth appertaine vnto you or to your brother And inâ—saying these words these two good friends did cause their ship to be grapled vnto the ship of Rosicleer and with their swordes drawen in their hands they leapt into the sayd ship and sayd Courage courage good knight and take a good heart héere is come vnto thée thy brother the knight of the Sunne And therewithall turned against his aduersaries and made so great a slaughter amongst them that in a short space al the hatches of the ship laie full of dead bodies and the knights of Lusitania béeing greatlie amased at such sodaine and strâ—â—ge succour they fled before them with all the speede they could into their owne ships and in making such hast many of them leaped short fell into the water so that by this meanes their shippe was quicklie ridde of their enimies But when that Rosicleer heard those comfortable words of his worthie brother and knew him as well by his wonderfull blowes giuen as by the deuice of his armour what ioy and pleasure might bée equall vnto his I saie vnto you it was much more than it was at that time when that he was succoured by him in the Iland of Canâ—â—marte for that his death at that time shoulde not haue béene so grieuous vnto him as at this presâ—nt the death of his good and perfect friends and hauing in his power the fayre Princesse Oliuia And as one who by the aide and succour of his Brother was in good hope to be set frée and at libertie of so rigorous and cruell a traunce with a new and vnlooked for ioye did so hearter and incourage himselfe recouering so great force and strength that hée began to make so great a destruction among his enimies as though the battaile were but as then begun and comming nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne he sayde Oh my Lorde and welbeloued brother what great benefit is this that God hath shewed vnto me that it hath pleased him that I am succoured by your great power and strength and now that I find my selfe in your companie if that all the whole world were against me I should not haue anie feare At this time the knight of the Sunne could not make him anie answere for that he was so occupied amongst his enimies where hée did so great slaughter that there was none that durst tarrieâ— before him Likewise the Troian did so defend his partie that it was wonderfull to beholde at whom Rosicleer was greatlie amazed not knowing who that valiant and worthie knight should be Then the king Sacridoro and the
did write Letters of greate loue vnto other Ilandes that were not subiect vnto him which were inhabited with Gyants and furious people requesting them to come vnto his Court of Parliament Among all hée wrote a Letter vnto Bradaman Campeon who was returned into his Countrie againe the effect thereof was as followeth GRan Campion Lorde of the Orientall Ilandes that are in the Octian Sea I doe beleeue that it is manifest vnto thée the iniurie done by the Gréeke Prince vnto our sacred estate and the great offence that hee did vnto thâ— immortall Gods therefore now thou shalt vnderstand that by the vertue of that part of the diuine deitie that is in vs it is concluded in our diuine Consistorie that order shoulde bée taken in such sorte that reuengement may be taken for the same in such ample wise that the whole Empire of Grecia may bée destroyed downe to the ground and not to leaue one stone vpon another as a iust punishment for the offendours and an example to all others howe they shall offende against the diuine maiestie For the 〈◊〉 end to the executing of the same wée doe desire 〈◊〉 in this enterprise thy fauour maye bée the first for that as the diuiâ—â— Gods haue created thee so strong and mightie ouer 〈…〉 all mortall creatures so lyâ—â—wise art thou 〈…〉 maintaine and defend their diuine honours 〈…〉 to make reuengement of this 〈…〉 Prince hath done vnto vs. Héerein I do inlarge no farther but abiding thy comming for to haue thy opinion what were best to be done héerein Written in our sacred Court c. When that Bradaman had receiued this Letter in all his life he was not so glad and ioyfull for that occasion dyd so â—erue that hée might execute that great anger and wrath that hée had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne because it was a great shame vnto him that hée was ouercome by him and hée could not forget that great iniarie receiued but had as much desire to bée reuenged for the same And you shall vnderstand that this Bradaman had at that time a sonne of twentie yéeres olde the most brauest and â—iercest creature that euer was séene by men of whome shall bee made more mencion in this Hystorie Bradaman had not this sonne by a faire Gentlewoman but of the cruellest and furious in condition amongest al women for that after y â— by the mightie power of his person he came to bée Lorde ouer the Orientall Ilands which was a kinde of people which for their fiercenesse neuer before could be brought in subiection he determined within himselfe for that he would not that that Segniorie should be lost after his death to procure to haue so valiant a sonne who for the worthinesse of his person should be sufficient to sustaine that estate as he did get it in his life time And with this determination and desire he made many sacrifices vnto the Gods desiring them to giue him such a sonne to bée his heire of no lesse force and strength than he was for the defence of those kingdomes At the same time there was in one of those Ilandes a woman of so stout and furious condition of so great strength that with her owne handes shée slew a great number of gyants and other terrible and dreadfull beasts Bradaman did know her in such sorte that nature working in her by the will of the high Gods shée was deliuered of that furious and fierce sonne and gaue him to name Bramarant At whose birth Bradaman his Father was verie ioyfull and caused him for to bée nourished with the milke of Lions and Tygers and other â—arious beasâ—es such as were to be found in those partes and would neuer consent that hée should proue of his mothers breasts for that he would his sonne should be the more fierce and strong In this sort hée was nourished so that afterward it appeareth that the double strength and fiercenesse of the Father and oâ— his mother was comprehended in him with the aide of the milke that he sucked which did worke such effect in him that when he came to twelue yéeres of age he would go alone into the deserts mountaines without anie armour more than certain sodden skins hardned in the Sun and would seeke out the strong Lions and fierce Tygers with other furious beasts and all that euer he could take he would teare them to peeces with his hands as though they had bene young and tender Kids He would eate no other meate in all the time of his hunting but the milke of those she wild beasts that he met withall and sometimes of the flesh of the most fuâ—ious beâ—st that he killed and that should be rawe But when that hée grew vnto more yeres he left of his hunting of wild beasts and fell to exercising himselfe in armour feates of armes in such sort that his great force and strength was verie déere vnto a great number for that he would neuer heare reason in the triall of his strength as did become good and curteous knightes but without anie occasion in the woâ—lde â—ee would haue contention with all them that he met withall béeing armed without anie feare if they were two twentie or thirtie with them all hée woulde contend and kill them tearing them in péeces with so great câ—ueltâ—e that hée was feared of all could finde none that was able to make râ—sistance against him although all the 〈◊〉 of those Ilands were verie stout and couragious and almost all Gyants And â—or that Nature dyd shew her selfe â—uch â—auourable vnto Bramarant the Hystorie sayth that hee was not in stature of his bodie so 〈…〉 but hee was as bigge as anie knight might 〈…〉 Gyant and of so mightie huge and great members that whatsoeuer hée lacked in his height hée 〈◊〉 it comprehended in his bignesse and was of so great force and strength that there was no equalitie in that of Milo of whom they saie that there was not his lyke in all the whole world for that he dyd things that séemed to bée incredible to all that dyd sée them and besides his great strength he was so swiâ—t and light that he would ouertake Lions and other wilde beasts in the plaine running after them This young Bramarant séeing himselfe to bée so puâ—sant and mightie aboue all others was so stout and proude that at such time as he came to twentie yéeres of age there was not one if hée were displeased with him that durst come into his presence so y â— in all those Oriental Ilands he was feared more estéemed thaÌ„ his Father and was not content that they had him for their Lord but also would bée worshipped of his as their principall God and said that al the Gods the which they did worshippe had no power ouer him neither were they equall in valour And Bradaman his Father séeing him so feared and reuerenced of all and how great and mightie his strength fiercenesse was was
part but yet I wish if it were your pleasure that you would command me some other thing wherein I might do you seruice that shoulde more import the satisfaction of the aâ—ger which you haue conceiued against me the which I woulde accomplish with a better will than to enter into battaile with your knight for if it should so fall out that I should gâ—t the victorie ouer him yet must I needes serue you but seeing it is so that you doe demand of mee the death of youâ— father I cannot but must néeds make my defence for that I slew him not by treason or falsehoode but as I accustome to doe in equall battaile and orderlie lawe of knighthood therfore from this time I doe accept the battaile and anie other thing that shall be demanded This béeing sayd the Ladie aunswered for her knight accepting the same then they tooke their handes together in signe of gages to the battaile which béeing done the strange knight departed from thence with the Ladie by the hand giuing them to vnderstand that hée would abide the knight of the Sunne in the place appointed for their combat who straight waies tooke his leaue of the Emperour his Father and went vnto his chamber to arme himselfe In the meane time that the knight of the Sunne was arming himselfe the Prince Clâ—ueâ—ndo did declare vnto all them that were in the great hall how Raiartes was father vnto Medea and in what sort the knight of the Sunne slew him as â—ne that knew the effect thereof verie well for that hee was present and dyd sée the whole battaile So when the knight of the Sunne was armed with his rich and strong armour that was sometimes the Prince Meridians as this Hystorie hath tolde you which dyd not a little stand him in 〈◊〉 that daie béeing accompanied with his Brother 〈◊〉 and all the troupe of those valiant knightes hee descended â—rom the Pallace and went whereas the straunge knight was tarrying his comming 〈◊〉 vppon a 〈…〉 with so gallant proportion and semblance that he seemed to be one of the best knights that euer he had 〈◊〉 and mounting vpon his mightie horse Cornerino who was all trapped with cloth of golde full of precious stones with a plume of white feathers bespangled with golde vppon his helme which was a gallant sight to beholde for as in this historie it hath bene tolde you in many places that ouer and aboue that this knight was of a high stature he was therwith so well proportioned of his bodie that when hée mounted vpon his horse béeing armed there was not a thing of more wonder to be séene and all they that did beholde him were greatlie amazed whose presence alonelie did declare that hée should be a knight of great force and strength So after that he had moued his courser once about the place the Emperour and the Empresse with al the rest of the Court being at the windowes and battlements of the mightie pallace and al the whole place ful of people Then the strange knight began to moue his mightie courser with so gallant disposition and furie that all men did iudge him to be a knight of great force and strength and sayd that in his semblance he did resemble much to Rosicleer who shewed no lesse gallant proportion and grace than the Knight of the Sunne And the Emperour Trebatio who was beholding him and pleased at his gentle disposition sayde vnto them that were with him The gallant order and gentle demeanour of this Knight doeth make mée beléene that this battaile will be better fought and more doubtfull than wée thought for and wée shall see great meruailes therein So it séemeth vnto mée sayd the good Troyan Oristedes and I doe not looke for an ende of this battayle till it bee almost night at such time as the daie draweth to an end till that time the furie of the knight of the Sunne doth not beginne to kindle The bountie of this worthie Prince is so straunge that the more the battayle doth indure and the stronger hée is assaulted it seemeth that his force and strength doeth the more increase When that â—ristedes had ended these wordes all the whole place was in quiet and attentiue waiting for the rigorous battayle that shoulde bée made betwixt those two Knightes who firming themselues iâ— their Saddles with their speares in their handeâ— they stayed the sound of Trumpets which was ordained for their beginning at the sound wherof they set spurres vnto their coursers and ranne the one agaynst the other with great impetuous force the swiftnesse of their horses was such that quicklie they met together and made so strong incounters that by reason their armour was so excellent that the sharpe point of their Speares coulde not enter their staues were shieuered all to péeces and they passed the one by the other so vpright and well setteled as though they had not receiued anie encounter at all but turned their horses about in the aire and came the one against the other with their swordes in their handes and began to laie on such vnreasonable blowes that their sheeldes although they were of fine stéele were quicklie broken all to peeces and their guilt mailes were scattered vppon the ground and with the furie of their blowes there procéeded so many sparkes of fire that it séemed that they burned and the sound of their armour rang lyke an eccho throughout the whole Citie Béeing more than one whole houre ouerpassed that these two valiant Knightes beganne their combat yet in such sort dyd they so double â—heir strong blowes as though they dyd but as then begin and no vantage was knowen of either parte but either of them beganne to féele the great strength of his aduersarie And the knight of the Sunne who was meruailous full of wrath for that one alone knight did endure so long against him in that combat in the presence of his Father and mother and those highe Princes and knightes sayde within himselfe that hée neuer combatted with knight before that dyd so stronglie strike his blowes and with so valiant a courage dyd defend himselfe but onelie Rosicleer his brother who was hée that brought him into the greatest perill and necessitie aboue all other Likewise the straunge knight dyd not so little féele the great force of the knight of the Sun but that he thought it impossible to cleere himselfe well of that battaile but hée as one that little estéemed his life for to reuenge some parte of the great anger which he had against his aduersary did so inforce and animate himselfe that the battaile endured thrée houres betwixt them without anie knowledge of vauntage of the one part or of the other The blowes which they stroke were of so great force and strength that many times it dyd astonish and amaze them and brought them so farre out of remembraunce that their horses carried them round about the place and all those that dyd beholde that stoute and rigorous
So hauing verie good entertainment by the knightes that were in the shippe one of them asked him of whence hée was and he sayde that hée was of Grecia and for that he sayde no more vnto them there was not one of them that asked him anie other questian although it séemed vnto them by his semblance that there was some thing that did trouble and grieue him verie much hée was so heauie Thus they trauailed two daies together with prosperous windes passing awaie the time in the best manner hée could but the third daie there arose a greate torment in so terrible sorte that the shippe wherein they were was in great perill to bée lost The windes dyd increase euerie moment more and more in such furious sort that all the cunning of the mariners did not serue for the gouernment of the ship but were driuen of necessitie for to yéelde her vnto the curtesie of the winde and seas driuing wheresoeuer it pleased them In this sort were they tumbled and tossed with that tempest all that daie and the night following without anie semblaunce of calmenesse and looked euerie minute for to bée cast awaie which put greate feare amongest them all sauing vnto the knight of the Sun who séeing the Sea so troubled and the mightie waues caused by those terrible windes fighting one with another he was not alonelie without all feare but also dyd lyke well thereof and it was agréeable vnto his minde as vnto one that was wearie of his owne lyfe but the next daie following at such time as they were without all hope to escape that danger fortune dyd so serue them that the storme beganne to asswage in such sorte that the Mariners might gouerne their shippe but they found that they were put a great waie leward from the place whether as they were determined to goe and sailing forwards on their iourney they discouered a farre off an Iland and out of the middest thereof they might perceiue ascend vp into the aire at times great flames and sparkes of fire with a terrible darke and thicke smoake as though they hadde béene burning of some drie things And when they came nigh vnto the same Ilande the knights were all desirous to goe there a land for to ease and refresh themselues for that they were out of quiet with the storme passed but the Marriners knowing the Iland haled iackes aboord and ran of from the land all that euer they could crying out saying they would not go thether for that it was the Iland of the diuell called the solitarie Iland and how that if they went thether they should all die the death When the knights of Candia heard these wordes they were all greatlie amazed for they hadde heard before time verie much of that Iland But the knight of the Sun who was inclined by his valiant heart to attempt high mightie things with great desire for to sée what it was that they so greatlie feared he asked of the Mariners wherefore they called that the Iland of the Diuell and why they feared so much the death if they should go thether And although all the knights that were there present had heard verie much of the great perill and daunger of that Iland yet there was none that could declare the certaintie thereof but an olde Pilot that came as passenger in the same shippe who had heard the whole truth thereof by certaine men which lefte the sayd Iland in respect of the great daunger and he séeing that the knight of the Sunne had great desire to knowe the mysterie therof in the presence of all the knights that were there present began to declare the same as followeth YOu shall vnderstand gentle Knight that this Ilande was called in times past the Ilande of Artimaga for that it was gouerned by a woman so called who was so abhominable and euill that neuer the lyke was séene nor heard of amongst women for that after she came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres vntill the time of her death which was more than thirtie yéeres shée neuer beléeued in God but in the diuell and there was no daie that passed ouer her head but she sawe the diuell in the figure of a man and had talke and conuersation with her as though he had bene her husband and she did euerie daie twice humble her selfe vnto him and did worship him The father and mother of this Artimaga were verie euill and peruerse being Lords and gouernours of this Iland at their death they left this Artimaga of the age of ten yéeres little more or lesse and for that there was no heire male at their decease she was forthwith accepted for Ladie and gouernesse of the whole Iland who when she sawe that she was absolute of her selfe and all in her disposition she gaue her selfe so much vnto all the 〈◊〉 and viâ—es of this worlde that for her abhominable sinnes and wickednesse God dyd permit that when this Artimaga came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres shée was deceiued with the diuell and would neuer consent vnto marriage for that shée would not submit her selfe vnder the obedience of her husband but yet she had more than thirtie gallants at her commaundement and had a great delight to chaunge euerie yéere so many more and with the greate conuersation that she had continuallie with the diuell she came to bée so wise and cunning in the art Magicke that there was none in all her time although hée were neuer so cunning that might bee compared vnto her Shée vsed so many and diuerse sortes of inchauntmentes that all those of the Iland dyd feare her verie much and although her abhominable and horrible liâ—e séemed verie euill vnto them all yet durst they doe no other thing but to obey her for their Ladie and gouernesse It so fell out that this cursed woman was neuer brought to bedde nor neuer was with childe although in consideration thereof many times shée woulde not for the space of two or thrée moneths together vse the companie but onelie of one man for the which shée receiued great sorrowe and griefe at her verye heart in séeing that shée coulde not haue anie issue of her bodie that might succéede her in the Lordshippe of that Ilande and many times when shée was in companie with the Diuell shee dyd complayne verie much thereof praying him earnestlie with greate deuotion to doe so much for her that she might haue a sonne with whom she might comfort her selfe and put some remedie vnto the great sorrowe which she receiued at her heart for lacke thereof Then the deceitfull diuell full of pollicie enimie vnto all humaine generatioÌ„ hauing great desire to bring vnto ende that euill fortuned woman the more surer to make his pray vpon her soule bethought himselfe of a meruailous euâ—ll and sayde that vnto that time he would not consent that she should haue any generation in consideration that she loued him so wel he wold not that she should conceiue by
anie humaine creature but onelie by him and that he determined to lye with her certifying that she should fullie persuade her selfe that y â— sonne that should be borne of her should be the most strongest that should be found in all the world and in respect of her loue that Iland should be spoken of in all the world These words of the diuell caused so great ioye and pleasure in Artimaga that as one from her selfe she fell downe prostrate at his féete and kissed them for that great benefit offered vnto her and with great importunaâ—ie she desired him straight way to put it in vre Then the diuell hauing no other determination but onely to deceiue her saide thou shalt vnderstande Artimaga that there is not giuen vnto mée so much power for to know thee nor no humaine woman in the forme of a rationall man but in some other figure and forme of a wilde beast that is furious and wonderfull the which is onely for to shew the difference that is betwixt our great power and that of men And againe that which shal be begotten by mee to be of much more force and strength When that Artimaga heard him say these wordes with the great ioye which she receiued she was voide of all care and saide vnto him that she should receiue great contentment and pleasure therein although he came in the most vgliest and fearefullest forme that might be So the diuell fell at agréement with her that vpon a certaine day she should goe into a Parke that was in that Ilande being full of meruailous great and thicke trées whereas she did manie times goe a hunting and that he would there tarrie her comming Then the diuell for to accomplish and bring to passe that which he had promised went vnto the desarts of Affrica out from the most highest and aspar parts of all the mount Atlas he brought forth a monstrous beast called Fauno the most terriblest amongst all beasts and they saie that by reason of the great abhomination vsed in times past by men hauing copulation with monstrous beastes did so alter humane nature that in processe of time it concluded in this so terrible and monstrous beast the fashion and forme thereof was as I will declare vnto you His bodie was as bigge as a great bull in forme and shape lyke a Lion with his féete full of rugged haire and the clawes of his féete as bigge as twice a mans finger and a span long his breast as big as of a horse and necked like an Elephant and from that part vpward both head and face like a man with a long beard of hard and thicke haire but the head was verie bigge and out of the middest of his forehead came forth an horne as big as a mans arme and as long whose force was such as also in his armes that there was no beast so furious and fierce that was able to indure before him Almightie God shewed great fauour vnto mankinde for that of these beastes there are but a few in the world and they are not to be found but on the highest parts of the mount Atlas which is all desert and no inhabitation for if they were whereas â—here is people one of these beasts alone were sufficient for to destroie a whole kingdome So the diuel finding out this monstrous beast he entered within him and brought him vnto this Iland and tarried within the Parke till the comming of Artimaga at the houre appointed who with the greate desire that she had to conceiue by the diuel detracted no time but kept her houre and although she had great astonishment at the fiercenesse and terrible semblance of that monster yet for all that it did not abate her courage beléeuing of a certaintie that it was the diuell and for that the diuell was within the monster hée spake by the mouth of y â— Fauno all that was requisite To conclude he deceiued Artimaga and by the permission of God for her sinnes and abhominable desire she was conceiued by that diuellish Fauno in such sort that she remayned with child Then she returned againe vnto her house and the diuell carried the monster vnto the place from whence he brought him and in the end of thrée moneths she felt her selfe with child for the which she receiued so great ioy and contentment as euer she did in all her life beleeuing of a certaintie that the sonne that shoulde be borne of her shoulde bée the most strongest and mightiest in all the world and neuer ceased giuing thankes vnto the diuell for that he was the author and father thereof But in consideration that his originall is euill and hath no other desire nor delight but to deceiue all humane generation euen so all his workes and déedes cannot be but euill and in great daunger preiudice vnto our soules So the time was expired the houre come that Artimaga should be deliuered and she was so big broade and swelled that she could not moue her selfe from one place vnto another in such sort that all that dyd sée her were greatlie amazed for that shée séemed to be foure times so bigge as she was before and by reason that the fruit of her cohabitation was deformed monstrous and diuellish they had no hope of anie naturall birth by ordinarie course but rent and tore the bellie and entrailes of the mother wherewith shée dyed and yéelded her soule vnto him whom shée so much beléeued and worshipped and the childe came forth the most horriblest and terriblest creature that euer nature formed This childe was scarce out of his mothers wombe when that with a diuellish furie he tore in péeces all that euer were before him and ran out oâ— the doores and tooke the field destroying and killing all that euer hée met withall and neuer ceased till he came vnto the Parke and woode wheras he was begotten and there he remained certaine dayes and neuer came forth till hée was growen to a bigger stature although then when he was borne he was as bigge as reasonable Lion He had not remained full halfe a yéere in these woodes but he increased so much that he séemed to be as bigge as an Elephant his forme and figure was much more horrible than that of his father although he did resemble him verie much and besides all this he had a whole legion of diuels within his bodie who in a figure of armed men many times came forth at his horrible mouth and did great harme whereas they went so that for this occasion he is called the diuellish or possessed Fauno So afterward when that he was come vnto his full strength which was within halfe a yéere he left the woods went throughout all the Iland did so much harme that he left none aliue where he became some slaine and other some hearing the report of his crueltie fled awaie so y â— the Iland is lefte desolate and no inhabitants therin neither anie other liuing thing So
all those y â— haue anie notice of this Iland doe not onelie refuse to land vppon it but also they dare not come nigh it with their ships for that many times this possessed Fauno hath ben séene enter into the sea a great stones cast when that anie ship or barke were nigh the shore and if that by misfortune those vnhappie trauailers doe fall into his hands there is none that escapeth with their lius for that with the horne that he hath in his forehead at one only blow he teareth a ship in péeces then after with his strong armes and vnmercifull téeth he rents teares in péeces all that is before him and there is no strength of man nor armour so strong that can withstand his â—urie for that his hoarie skin is of so great hardnes y â— it is not possible for anie weapon to enter it This is y â— occasion gentle knight y â— this Iland is so much spoken of and so feareful vnto all sailers that passeth this waie and why it is called the Iland of the diuell and that fire which we doe sée with that thicke smoake that ascendeth into the aire is all that which procéedeth out of the terrible and horrible mouth of that diuellish Fauno for that it is full of infernall diuells By this you may iudge what the monster should be that throweth from him such wonderfull and terrible infections This worthie knight of the Sun at this discourse of the olde Pilot was greatly amazed and so were all the knights of Candia that came in the same ship the which thing seemed vnto them to be one of the straungest that euer happened in all the world yet the straungenesse thereof was not so terrible vnto all the rest of the hearers as it gaue great desire vnto the valiant worthie knight of the Sun to go a land at that Iland and to goe and seeke out that possessed Fauno for that the hearing thereof did not cause anie feare or dread in his couragious heart as he who for such like attempts aboue all other stout knights was created did litle estéeme the venturing of his life whereas the honour and glorie of such worthinesse is put in aduenture and in especiall in that time abhorring himselfe in consideration of his fact he was so furious and desperate that he neither feared nor dreaded the entrie into hell much lesse the Iland Thus he béeing fullie determined to goe a land called vnto him Aurelio and Biniano his squires and calling them apart in shedding many salt teares which ranne down his graue countenance he sayd these wordes My good friends God doth know what great griefe it is vnto me for to declare this which I haue to saie and what sorrow I doe féele at my heart before I doe vtter it not so much for that it doth touch me although my misfortune aboue al other in the world is most strangest as it is for that I doe sée at such time as I should doe some thing for you to giue you reward for your great good seruice done vnto me I am constrained to abandon and leaue you alone without any hope euer to sée you more this is the thing that doth so grieue me ioyntlie to consider how my losse will bée lamented of my father and mother my brother and all my friends that to declare it my tongue doth faile mee Ah my good friends you shall vnderstand that my departure out of Constantinople was for no other intent but for to leaue the worlde and for to goe whereas I might shorten my daies and thether whereas it might not bée knowen vnto anie whether I be aliue or dead for that my euill fortune is such that it doeth not atcomplish mée for to liue anie longer héere amongest men and in consideration heereof I dyd at our departure so much request you that you should haue remained with the Emperour my Father for that he and my brother Rosicleer might reward you for the great seruice done vnto me for that I am not able to doe it and being at that time so much importuned by you that by anie meanes I could not leaue your companie but now the time is come that my sorrowfull destinie hath permitted that from this daie forwardes I am constrained to leaue you and to make reckoning that of you nor of my father and brother I was neuer knowen The occasion therof I will not declare vnto you for that alonelie my hart who doth suffer the inconuenience shal know it But thus much I will saie vnto you that if the perill in loosing of my soule did not disturbe me I haue sufficient cause to giue my selfe a thousand deaths with my owne handes and for that my life is so heauie and grieuous vnto mée and that my force strength is not sufficient for to suffer the same I am determined for to go a land on this Iland of y â— Fauno and there to end my vnhappie daies and if it so fall out fortune to be fauourable vnto me in that I do ouercome and kil the monster I shall doe great seruice vnto God in taking out of the world a thing so fierce and abhominable then afterwarde shall that Iland be verie solitarie and fit for my purpose where I meane to end my sorrowfull daies And if my fortune be such that I die in the power of the Fauno as sure I am that I owe a death then shall I there paie the death that is due vnto this my mortall bodie and the debt that is due vnto this vnhappie and troublesome world Therefore my good friends I doe most heartelie desire you for the great good loue which you dyd alwaies beare vnto me that at this present you will shew it to be more than héeretofore and to be conformable vnto my will and to thinke well of this my pretence and to haue patience and perswade with your selues in this my departure and to comfort your selues in that it is a great griefe vnto me for to leaue you and to conclude the lyfe of man is briefe and short and full of miserie and anguish and I praie and beséech the vniuersall creator that we may in the other world with more ioy quietquietnesse and pleasure So my will is that after I am departed you go with these knights vnto Transiluania and from thence to returne into Grecia and there to establysh your selues with the Emperour my father without giuing him to vnderstand of anie thing that hath happened vnto me since my departure out of the mightie Citie of Constantinople but saie that you lost me in the wildernesse of Grecia and remaine with him for that I am sure that hée and my brother Rosicleer will doe as much for you as though I were there my selfe and if at anie time by fortune you doe méete with the Empresse Claridiana you shall saye vnto her that at such time as I departed from you I left your companie for that I went out
accept it with a good will and if it bée sadde and sorrowfull they suffer it with suffer it with patience and when that with the occasions they cannot bée merrie then doe they comfort themselues with patience for that there is nothing so comfortable and pleasant as is patience therewith heauie and sorrowfull heartes are made glad and ioyfull wronges are brought to perfection it mollifieth hard hearts do mitigate difficultnesse aspar things it maketh plaine and ceaseth all quarrels and sodaine motions and finallie there is nothing of more quietnes and comfort than is the life of the patient These wéepinges these complaintes these clowdes and stormes that causeth the weake barke of our humane lyfe to bée dashed and broken in péeces against the rockes procéedeth of no other thing but of the follie and impatience of men So that gentle Knight if you dyd suffer with patience the troubles and afflictions of this life considering that in the end there cannot bée found a thing more common amongst men then shoulde no peruerse fortune although it dyd neuer so stronglie assault you bée able to cause you to be wearie abhorre your owne life neyther to goe and put your selfe into the handes of that diuellish Fauno whereas you doe aduenture no other thing but martirdome to your bodie and perpetual condemnation to your soule Let the Lord dispose of thy bodie according vnto his will séeing he made it there is no reason to the contrarie doe not procure to destroie the Castle whereas thou laiedâ—â— neither stone nor timber and no other thing is thine but onelie the compassion Doe not abridge God of that work whereas he did not onelie create the flesh but also bones bloud and spirit And it séemeth vnto me as it is most true that there is no other Lord ouer celestiall and terrestriall things but he that made all things Well then séeing that of our selues we are nothing but all is of God and commeth from him wherfore doe we humane creatures thinke that we may liberallie we all things vnto our 〈◊〉 Curteous Knight if you haue anie sorrowe and griefe possible God doth it to proue you the which although it bée now troublesome vnto you may yet so fall out that another time it will bée profitable and if it bee intollerable it cannot endure long tarrie the voice of the Lord for that hée will call you and make no aunswere before hée call you for that it is determined not onelie the daie but the houre of thy end the which thou oughtest not to abreuiate and cut off for that thou art not able to dilate it for it is impossible There hath béene some that hath taken it before their time thinking thereby to eschue a little briefe and momentarie trouble and drowned themselues in that which neuer shall haue end A mightie King or Lorde leaueth in a Castle or fortresse a lieuetenant to garde and kéepe the same who thinketh that hée doth commit great treason to depart from thence without lisence of his Lorde Why then shall wée not thinke that the treason is farre greater that the soule doth against the king of heauen for to depart from the bodie whereas he put it to be his liefetenant and gard We reade that there was neuer wise man y â— did so euil a fact as dyd Cato in killing of himselfe for that hée woulde not looke Caesaâ— in the face Let not so much bée spoken of you gentle knight it will séeme much worse because you are a Christian and it 〈◊〉 thing prohibited and forbidden by God wheras he saith Thou shalt not kill Why should wée then kill our selues Likewise hée doth bidde vs loue our neighbours as our owâ—e selues Therefore haue a good confidence and trust in all â—â—â—ng for that it is not the part of a 〈…〉 but to beare a good 〈◊〉 vnto the double face of 〈◊〉 and to the contrarie a womans heart that doth yéelde for feare Therefore touching this matter gentle knight I wil saie no more for that vnto them that hath a better vnderstanding than I haue I haue sayd nothing but to put in remembrance Likewise it is néedfull for that if you haue your wittâ—s occupied in passions the same doth blinde the vnderstanding in such sorte that you cannot discerne thinges at hand With this the olde Pilot concluded his talke and although the knight of the Sunne at that time was in better plight to â—ight against fiftie knightes than to take counsaile of one man yet for all that he dyd conceiue well of the wordes of the Patrone as of him that was indued with no lesse wisedome and vnderstanding than with force and strength and for that his determination was so firme to accomplish his desire and againe the knightes that were there present as also the Pilot shoulde not iudge him to be an impâ—tient man and one of â—â—â—all discretion hée said these words following If so bée that the life of man might bée perpetuall and indure for euer as immortall and the soule to die then with great reason ought we to cherish and make much of our bodies and â—â—ie from all such perills as might giue an occasion vnto death for that hée that should so die might certainâ—â—â— account himselfe vnhappie for wheras before hée was some thing he should be conuerted into nothing But as it is a thing naturall to be borne and to die as wise men saith that the entering into the worlde with life is the beginning of death and the same life is the path waie therevnto and wée ought to feare death more than to be borne and we ought to flie from the death yet both of them maketh nature perfect and nothing of necessitie doeth accompanie Nature which ought to be feared and he that doth abhorre and feaâ—â— things naturall it followeth that he should likewise fearâ— abhorre nature which was the occasion of life to be borne sauing if you thinke that in part you ought to praise and in part to despise and abhorre but all men of small discretion doe feare death and I doe not meruaile thereat for that all their felicities is in their bodies the which without al doubt doth end with death and with great reason they doe fearâ— that which they esteeme as their chiefe delight for that humane nature is such that it wil not refuse nor lacke their felicitie but that Baron which is wise couragious â—â—â—â—â—meth of his bodie no more thâ—n of 〈…〉 and hath all his desire set vppon the 〈◊〉 of the â—oule who when it departeth from the bodie maketh no more account but as one that in the morning departeth from an heauie combersome lodging where he remained all night If man dreade death feare is not to be 〈◊〉 for that thâ— soule is immortall cannot die but the bodie onelie is it not 〈◊〉 mans dutie to haue care of his 〈◊〉 and if he feare it procéedeth of follie but yet it is more foolishnesse for to desire the
fortune hath not giuen place in my life time to doe you anie seruice it may be that the acknowledgeing of my death might do you good for that I am fullie certefied you take great pleasure therein Oh that my fortune and cruell destiâ—ie had permitted that in the battaile the which you made with me in Constantinople I had bene slaine sure it had ben a crowne of martyrdome vnto me for to haue receiued the death by your soueraigne hands But alasse in this doe I know that my misfortune is great and in the end cannot be denied of this glorie to knowe that you take pleasure in my death for that taking so great paines for to giue it mee with your owne handes I cannot beléeue that in so short space you haue repented you And séeing good Ladie that it is so that you desire so much my death let not god permit that against your will I liue anie longer in this world Oh Princesse Lindabrides how ioyfull will it be vnto you to heare of my death knowing that she alonly was the occasion for whom I forgot the great loue that I bare vnto you and verifie the sentence to be iust and according vnto my desert to be abhorred of her for whose sake I forgot you and worthie to receiue the punishment of her that was the occasion to leaue so high and soueraigne a Ladie But what doe I saie I did neither leaue her nor forget her and is no other thing but my fortune to be so base that I did not deserue to marrie with the one nor to serue the other Oh Emperour Trebatio my Lord my Ladie and mother the Empresse Briana I desire you to pardon me for the Lord doth know that the greatest griefe that I haue in this world is to consider of the great sorrowe that you will receiue when that the newes of my death shall come vnto your eares let this bée account of comfort vnto you to make â—eckoning that you neuer heard of me since the time that I was carried awaie in the barke by the force of the riuer when that I was a child and héere I beseech the almightie God and loueraigne creator to comfort you and put this aforesayd in your mindes Oh my good brother Rosicleer oh how much is the sorrow that I doe now feele for that I so quicklie do apart my selfe out of your companie and a great griefe to consider howe sorrowfull the newes will be vnto you when that you shall heare that I am out of this world Ah my good brother you that are the flower of all knighthood comfort our father and mother that are so mentioned amongest all Nations for whereas you are in person my presence will not be thought vpon Oh my verie good and perfect friends Oristedes Brandizel and Claueryndo the Lord doth knowe how much it doth grieue me to sée my selfe separated from your companie for euer but alasse what shall I doe séeing that fortune will that I shall shew my selfe vnto you and all the world in this condition And now I doe desire you neuer more to séeke mée for that in briefe I shall out of this worlde Take for your friend my Brother Rosicleer in my place as well for that of your owne persons is meritorious as for the great good will which alwaies I did beare vnto you hée I am sure will bée vnto you a verie good and perfect friend These and many other things spake this good knight in shedding so many teares and vttering so many sighes that whosoeuer had heard them although his heart had bene so hard as anie Diamond yet could he not haue refrained but wept ther at And as he would haue put himselfe in the way to goe toward that diuellish Fauno he bethought himselfe how and in what sort he might make battaile with him and it it séemed that if fortune shuld shew her selfe in anie thing fauourable vnto him it should be to make the battaile better on foot than on horsebacke now according vnto his determination whether he did liue or die he had no more néede of his horse Cornerino therfore he determined to let him loose go at his frée liberty in recompence of his good seruice done vnto him and because he might more at his plasure take his repast of the field go whether he list he pulled off his bridle and saddle and set him at libertie the which was done with shedding many teares saying Oh my good horse what a great griefe it it vnto mée â—or to leaue thée not for that I haue néed of thée from henceforth but onelie for that I would it were knowen the great good seruice which thou hast done vnto me that thou shouldest be intreated dressed cured as thou doest deserue If that Alexander of Macedon did make so gorgious a tombe for his horse to burie him when he was dead commanded a citie to be called after his name I should haue greater reason to honor thée being thou aliue his dead much better than euer his was Augustus made a graue for his horse being dead for y â— he would not that the soules of the aire shuld eate his flesh Dido Iulio did consecrate in the Temple of Venus the image of his horse made in marble stone Anthonio Vero made the image of his horse being aliue in goldâ— and now I hauing done nothing for thée being farre better than euer anie of those were what can I doe but set thée at libertie whereas thou maist take the pleasure of the fieldes as other beasts do therfore go thy waies good horse for thou art the last companie that I doe leaue in this world In saying these words he draue him from him for to departe but it was great meruaile to sée the nature of this horse for although he was loose and at libertie without anie incomberance yat wold he not depart but drew nigher and nigher his maister and trembled meruailouslie with all his bodie the more he did procure to driue him awaie y â— more he did approch vnto him trembling as with feare then the knight of the Sunne knew not what to do for one waie the great perill of his horse if that diuellish Fauno should sée him another waie he could by no meanes driue him away for anie thing he could do but in the end he bethought himselfe y â— if he left him there loose possible when he did sée the diuellish Eauno he would runne awaie and therewith hée left him and began to trauaile a foote into the Iland and as he passed through a companie of great and ouergrowen Okes he remembred himselfe of the battaile which hée had with Brandimardo in the wildernesse of Grecia how that he made the same with a club made of a branch he tore off from a trée for that he would not strike him with y â— sworde wherewith he dyd make the battaile with the Empresse Claridâ—ana and calling this to
remembrance with great furie he saâ—d vnto himselfe God forbidde that the sword wherewith I did strike so high and soueraigne a Ladie should now be defiled in the bloud of so foule infernall a monster And in saying these wordes with great furie and force he laide holde with both his handes vpon a great and knotted branch of one of those Okes and tore it from the bodie of the trée and trimming it in the best manner he could he laid it vpon his shoulder the which was so great and heauie that many other knightes should lacke strength to lift it vp from the ground And as he trauailed in this sort he thought within himselfe that if hée should be slaine in that battaile that then his good swoorde should remaine in the fielde and then afterward it might so fall out that in time that Iland might againe bée peopled then â—oulde it not be other wise but that sworde must come to the hand of some knight wherewith he might shed the bloud of others and for that he would not doe so greate iniurie vnto so precious a Ladie hée determined first for to break it all to péeces in such sort that afterward none might profit himselfe therewith Then considering how in what manner he might execute his determination to breake thâ— sword in péeces he sawe by him a little rocke the height of 〈…〉 although it were farre bigger and of very hard stone and thinking thereon to break it to péeces he drew out that â—â—ne sword laide vpon that rocke so many strong blowes that it séemed to burne with the great quantitie of fire that flew out thereof but by reason of his great goodnesse for that it was one of the best that was to be found in all the world all the strength that he had neither the hardnesse of the rocke was sufficient to breake it it was the sword the which he had of the Prince Meridian whereat this worthie Prince was in so great furie and wrath that with double strength he assaulted againe the rocke and in a short space he did cut and breake it all to péeces and the swoorde neuer the worse In this saith the wise Lyrgandeo that this knight had the greatest force strength that euer humane creature had before or after him and an euident token to consider y â— in so smal time he should cut breake to péeces such a rocke as that was the which no humane force was able to doe it but he onlie then this good knight séeing that all that euer he could doe was not sufficient to breake that sword although he made it many times to double bow the point vnto the hilt he determined to leaue it there and for that afterward it shuld be the better estéemed of him whose fortune it should be to finde it in the highest part of peaâ—e of that rocke that remained with the point of his sword hee engraued in Gréeke vearse these wordes following IF héereafter in anie time it chanceth anie knight to finde this sword you shal vnderstand that it is the knight of the Suns sonne vnto the Emperour â—â—rebatio who comming to this Iland in the demaund séeking out of the diuellish Fauno for to battaile with him because he would not haue the said sword defiled on him he left it wold not carrie it with him for that after his death he would it should not come into the power of anie other he did procure to breake it vpon this rocke the which was cut and broken therewith in such sort as you finde it and yet the sword could not be broken therefore I desire thée whose fortune it is to find it neuer to strike or wound anie therewith because his owner in the time of his greatest necessitie did leaue the same in consideration that he stroke therewith the most highest and soueraigntest Ladie and Damsell that euer was borne amongst humane creatures 〈◊〉 Thus when the knight of the Sun had engrauen these wordes he put the sword into the â—ich scabbard hanged it girdle all of gold vpon the â—aid rocke and tooke his knotted club vpon his shoulder began to go forwards his way a good pace his horse followed after him a good waie off In this sort the knight trauailed did discouer from a far the fire that procéeded out at the mouth of this diuellish Fauno wherby he might discerne where he was So halfe an houre after that he departed from the rocke with the large pace in his going he came within an arow shâ—t of the place whereas the Fanno was from whence he discouered the wonderful mishapen figure of that monsâ—er whose force furiousnesse no humane creature was able to discerne but that which made this knight meruaile most was to sée come forth at the mouth of this beast with the fire smoake so infinit a compaine of diuels in the shape of armed men y t it 〈◊〉 all the diuels in hell to be ioyned theâ—e together of them he sawe comming towards him a bushment which seemed to the number of two hundreth making so great a noise as though the whole Iland would haue sunke his good horse Cornerino till that time did follow him but at that great noise he returned backe againe like vnto a whirle winde vnto the place from whence he came although y â— infernal companie came against him with so great force yet this valiant and couragious knight did dismaie nothing thereâ—t but with an irefull semblance he larged his pace towards them for to worke his furie on them who when they came vnto him did first assalt him with infernall visions then did laie vpon him with their shod clubs yron mases so thicke terrible blowes y â— it séemed to be the forge of Vulcan but this valiant knight taking his club in both his hands began with so great furie to besturre himselfe amongst them that all that euer was before him he ouerthrew to the ground by reason that they did ouerpresse him very much with their thick terrible blowes he waxed verie wâ—athfull did redouble his furious blowes in such sort y â— in a short time y â— infernal companie began to flie returne vnto the place froÌ„ whence they came making such houllings shrikes y â— it would haue feared anie man to haue heard them This infernall companie had scarce returned when there came forth at his mouth another legion of diuels such as y â— first were all armedâ— with mases of yron in 〈…〉 did resemble giants came towards the good knight making a greater noise than it doth when it thundieth throweth out some thunderbâ—lt when they came vnto him they assalted compassed him 〈◊〉 about charged him with so many heauie terrible blowes that thrée times they made him to stoup with knées hands downe to the ground but commending himselfe vnto almightie God with his heart he
likewise charged them with so terrible blowes with his knotted club that in a smal space he made them to shrike 〈…〉 dog when they are hurt and not being able to suffer 〈…〉 force and strength of the knight euen as the other did they returned in great hast vnto the place from whence they came and altogether they threw themselues into the mouth of that diuellish Fauno who at this tune as one that did awake out of his sléepe turned about and stretched himselfe gnashing and grinding his vnmercifull teeth stretching out his cruell nailes both on handes and féetâ—e and bristâ—ed vp his haire wherewith he was couered as doth the wilde Boare when that he is chased with dogges he did also increate the fire that procéeded from his mouth making it to fume vp into the Clowdes whose sparkles scattered abroade as doth in the Smithes forge at such time as blowing he throweth sand into his fire and after a while that he had thus roused himselfe hée arose from the ground whereas he was laide and looked towards the place whereas the knight of the Sunne was with such terrible eies that at noone daies they did shew as much light as doth two torches in the night there was not to bée seene in all 〈◊〉 world a thing of greater meruaile and fiercenesse and the wise Lyrgandeo who did see this monster after that he was slain saith that he supposeth that there was no humane creature that had so much courage as once to beholde and looke vpon this infernall monster who laie on a gréene place which was betwixt aâ— mountaine and a water brooke that ranne 〈◊〉 him but when that hée had séene the knight of the Sunne hee gaue a mightie leape into the aire and passed therewith ouer the brooke with so terrible a noise that it séemed all the whâ—le Ilanâ—e woulde haue sunke and therewith hee went towardes the knight and bare his head verie lowe for to strike him with his horne as dooth the Bull against the furious 〈◊〉 thinking therewith for to wound him if he had fastned that blow he had stroke him all to péeces but this couragious knight who was as light and nimble as hardie bold with a light leape cléered himselfe of that perilious encounter without doing him anie other harme but that he thought he shoulde haue ben burnt with that 〈◊〉 fire that he threw out of his mouth and as this infernall Fauno did passe forwards with the hastinesse of his running the knight of the Sunne had no time for to strike him who was not scarce well 〈◊〉 when that with another impetuous course he returned vppon him and the fire and smoake that he cast out before him was of so great abundaunce as also the great furie of the beast that this valiant Knight had no time nor space for to cléere himselfe from that encounter but it fell out verie well with him that his horne chaunced betwixt his arme and his left side and dyd him no other harme but with his head hée gaue him so strong an encounter that hauing no power to sustaine himselfe hée fell backwardes vnto the earth and passing ouer him hée was meruailouslie tormented as well with the blow of the fall as with the fire which dyd secalde him verie much And suâ—elie till that time this good knight neuer sawe himselfe in so great perplexitie but by reason that hée was of so greate magnanimitie in all thinges his courage dyd increase so that without anie whit of feare and dreade he arose vp againe with great lyghtnesse being verie furious and angrie with himselfe for that hée could neuer fasten one blowe vpon the Fauno hee then firmed himselfe verie stronglie and tooke his clubbe fast in both his handes abiding when that he shoulde retourne againe vpon him with his accustomed furie hée putting him selfe with great pollicie on the one side at such time as hée should passe by the beast missing his purpose he stroke him such a blowe with his clubbe vpon his horne with so great furie force and strength that he brakâ— it from the scull and it fell downe to the ground Great was the paine and griefe that this infernall Fauno felt by that terrible blowe and it could not bée imagined the fiercenesse that hée as then vsed and roared and houled with so great noise that in ten miles compasse it might be heard but little profit was this vnto the knight for when the Fauno found himselfe without his horne he vsed a new meanes and no lesse perillous than the other to assault the knight and procured by all meanes for to catch him betwixt his 〈◊〉 and strong armes and sharpe nailes throwing out at 〈◊〉 mouth greate flames of fire as though his bodie had 〈◊〉 â—ull of gunpouder wherewith this good knight had ben burnt to ashes with that infernal fire if it had not ben for that good armour which was of Meridian the which had a meruailous propertie and it was this y â— those great small bones wherof it was made were extreame cold made great resistance against the fire Likewise his helme was garnished ful of verie fine rubies and those as saith the wise Lirgandeo doth resist the ouermuch force and strength of the fire in such sort that he was not much troubled therwith yet for all y â— the soultring heat was such y â— if it had ben anie other knight of lesse strength he could not haue suffered it so as this diuellish Fauno laboured by al meanes possible to get this knight betwixt his armes euen so did he with all lightnesse y â— might be procure to defend kéepe himselfe out of his clawes many â—â—mes striking him with his mightie club vpon y â— deformed bodie but it did him no more harme than if he had stroke vpon a rock yet had he a great aduantage of him for out of his forehead from whence he stroke his horne there issued great abundance of bloud which ran downe ouer his eies troubled him very much but by reason y â— hée had within him so many legions of dâ—uels the which did aide helpe him that this good knight could not make his defence in so good order but that he was caught betwixt his big and hairie armes which was of so great strength that he could not imagine â— thing of greater force meruailed much how that with his nailes he was not rent torne all to peeces but héere at this present might the knight of the Sunne estéeme his good armour of great price as of the best that were to be found in all the whole world for although the force strength of that inâ—ernall Fauno was sufficient to destroie a whole armie of souldiours yet lacked he strength for to break or buckle one péece of all that armour his strong and sharpe nailes that could teare in péeces a stith of stéele could not enter into this armour so that this Fauno carried him from one place vnto
another and did him no more harme but that which he receiued by the heat of the fire for as he carried him nigh vnto his mouth he thought verilie to haue bene burned but y â— which the knight of y â— Sun was most grieued at was that he helde him so fast betwixt his armes that he had no power to put forth his armes neither to vse his own strength In this sort the monster caried him vp down a good while till at the last the knight felt that he might firme his féet on the ground at which time he stretched his legs made so strong resistance against the Fauno that he made him somwhat to recoile whereat giuing a hastie strong turne hée wrong himselfe out of his clawes with great lightnesse tooke againe his club the which was fallen from him as the Fauno with great impetuositie returned vpon him hée was in a readinenesse with his bat in both his hands abiding his coÌ„ming but before he approched nigh him he stroke him so terrible a blow with his club vpon his head that although his scull was more harder than a stith yet he made him to tumble on the earth more than halfe amazed before he could recouer himselfe for to rise vp he redoubled another blow and stroke him in the same place that he made him to ioyne both head breast vnto the ground cleane out of remembrance at which time there was so timerous a noise of shrikings howlings which those infernall diuells made comming forth of his mouth shewing such ill fauoured figures mishapen visions that no humane creature y â— shuld behold it but would haue receiued great feare dreade but this knight the flower of all other if all hel had risen against him with the fauour of almightie God vpon whom he did call would not haue feared them so that he was not onelie without dreade but also with a greater force and strength than before he lift vp his heauie knotted club and at such time as this infernall Fauno would haue risen vp he with all his force dyd strike him such a blow vpon the head that by reason that before his scull was crazed he now did beate it into his braines and made them to runne abrode wherewith this diuellish Fauno fell altogether to the ground and shaked with all his bodie and scrawling with hands féetâ— he made the earth to flie from him a great waie with the pangs of death This monster was not so soone fallen down but all that infernall crue that were within his bellie began to come forth at his mouth with so great quantitie of fire that they séemed all to burne therewith and vpon a sodaine the Sunne which shined as then verie cléere was as though it had ben couered with a cloude and all the heauen was so darkned that throughout all that Iland it séemed as though it had ben night and therewithall it thundred and lightned in such terrible sort as though heauen and earth would haue sunke and ther appeared vnto this good knight many infernal visions in as horrible maner as might be all full of fire in such sort y â— although it was as darke as night yet there appeared a meruailous and an innumerable number of theÌ„ so light as firebrands that he thought verily that all the diuels of hell had ben there ioyned together In this sort they continued a while and then vpon a sodaine he saw together a mightie legion of diuells in a bushment who brought in the midst amoÌ„gst them a naked woman whom they tormented in as cruell sort as might bée imagined she gaue great and pittifull shrikes and complained in such sort that the knight well vnderstood she should be the wise Artimaga who was brought thether by those diuells whereas her sonne laie dead and as they carried her round about the place some of them did strike her with sâ—rebrandes that euerie blowe séemed to burne her vnto the guts and other some dyd whip her so cruellie that euerie gyrke dyd make the bloud to spring out of her bodie and she with greate shrikes and cryes that seemed to bée heard vnto the heauens sayd Oh Artimaga cursed be the daie hour that thy father 〈◊〉 begot thée and the day wherein thou wert borne cursed be that day wherein the diuel did deceiue thee and the day that first thou didst put thy trust and confideÌ„ce in him these be his promises and this infernal fruite is that which he promised thée this is he that I so much desired by whom I and all this Iland should be so much spoken of all hath fallen out to be true for that the sonne which was borne of mée did proue to be such that the remembraunce of him shall not be forgotten so long as the world endureth These and other such words vttered this Artimaga in the time that these diuells carryed her round about where as her sonne lay with continual torments of her that it moued the good knight that did beholde all this vnto great compassion So after a while that this endured it began to lighten and thunder much more then before in which terrible noyse all this infernal companie began to vanish away and all those diuells that brought Artimaga likewise returned neuer ceasing in tormenting hir one minute of an houre So when they were all vanished and departed the day began to cléere vp the Sunne to shine as bright as before and was nothing séene in all the Iland but this good knight standing by the Fauno who was altogether starke dead but Cornerino his good horse being scared with that great noyse of thunder ranne and put himselfe into the sea wheras he remained swimming vp and downe till all was past and gon and then he came a land againe after that all this was finished the knight of the Sunne knéeled downe vpon the ground and gaue great thankes vnto almightie God for the 〈◊〉 which he had giuen vnto him and finding himselfe all sowltering hot with the fire of the Fauno he pulled of his armour and with the water of the brooke he did refresh himselfe in drinking thereof and washing his bodie this being done he returned to behold the Fauno whereas he lay dead and in séeing him he began a new to meruaile at his wonderful and mishapen forme thought it a thing impossible that nature should bring foorth to monstrous a creature Then after that he had vewed him a while he went and vewed all the Iland and founde it to be solitarie and not one left in all the whole compasse wheras before it was meruailously replenished with all maner of beastes and as then not one remaining for that this infernall Fauno had eaten destroied them Likewise he found y â— all the edifices and buildings were ouâ—â—throwen with weather and broken downe which seemed before time to be meruailously well peopled where at he receiued great griefe and moued vnto great
the citie the which being perceiued by the captains they did incourage and animate them all that euer they could for to holde their owne and to remaine in the field but they respecting the two Paganes and saw that they were the onely occasion of their retyring and signe of destruction the two Princes Radamarte and Rodafeo toke to them two bigge and strong staues and setting spurres to their Horses with so great furie as possible was the one made his encouÌ„ter against Bradaman and the other against Bramarant who although they were on foote yet for all that by reason of the greatnesse and mightinesse of their persons were séene aboue all the rest but it fell not out well with these two Princes for although they made their encounter verie strongly and brake their staues yet did they them no harme neither made any motion of mouing thereat but passing by they strok either of theÌ„ such a blow at his enimie with so great furie on their wastes that they ouerthrew theÌ„ to the earth and if their armour had not bene verie good they had parted them a sunder in the middest Forthwith these furious PagaÌ„s passed forwards for to put themselues in the thickest of the Gréekes who fled meruailously before them in which time the two Princes had space for to recouer againe their horses and with great anger and griefe for that misfortune that happened vnto them they put themselues amongst the Pagans requiting on them the iniurie done by the other two determining not to return anie more to proue themselues vpon the two Pagans that had ouerthrowen them because they sawe that they coulde get but little honour at their hands In this time the Greekes retired backe all that euer they could and lost a great part of the field so that the rest of the Pagan fleete had roome and space inough for to diseâ—barke themselues so y â— all the fields were peopled with the Pagan host The which the Emperour â—rebatio perceiuing he straight waies commanded the Prince of Dardania and the king of Esclauonia y â— they with twentie thousand knights should issue out into the battaile and do so much that by force they might make the Pagans for to retire onelie for that they should not thinke Grecia so be so ill prouided of knights and defence Then these two Captaines who were verie valiant and stout knights with those knights that the Emperour had commanded departed out of the citie and passing two great fields that were betwéene the Pagan host and them they came vnto the battaile and séeing that the Grecians retired and were like to lose the victorie with all the force and furie possible they entred all together into the battaile and slew many of their enimies and got againe the field the which before they had lost made the Pagans to retire vnto y â— sea side although they were a great number more then there were of the Gréekes and continually did disembarke more and more all alongst the coast some armed and other some tarrying for theyr armour and horse yet for all this it dyd well appeare that those which came from the citie a fresh had not felt the great power and infernall furie of these braue Pagans the father the sonne who with great ease did battayle with the rest but quickly they felt their mortall and wonderfull blowes which caused them to loose a great part of their brauerie semed that those two were sufficient for to destroy them all who with verie broade and heauie fauchins dyd put themselues amongst the Gréekes some they cut a sunder by the wastes and othersome they cloue down to their breastes and othersome vnto the saddle and made great slaughter in such sort that amongst the Gréekes ther was not one knight although he were neuer so valiant stoute that durst abyde before them but ranne away from tâ—e place whereas they saw them come thinking them to be more like diuels of bell then knights At this time y â— Emperour Alicandro was come a shore and moâ—ted vpon a triumphant Chariot such a one as the princesse Lindabrides brought out of the which he did behold all that passed in the battaile and was verie ioyfull for to sée the great wonders which Bradaman Campion and his sonne dyd and semed vnto him that they two alone were sufficient for to destroy a whole armie and he saw that by their force the Gréekes began to loose ground although euerie one of them did verie wel by the great incouraging of their captaines At this time the good knight Rosicleer finding himselfe agreued would not detaine himselfe any longer in the citie seing that the battaile was meruailously moued he armed himselfe with his strong rich and glistering armour And although the Princesse Oliuia and the Emprisse Briana his mother did all that they could for to disturbe his going yet dyd it profit theÌ„ very little for that in taking lisence of the Emperour his father he issued out of the citie accompanied with those valiant knights the Troian Oristedes the Tartarian Zoylo the two princes Bargandel and Liriamandro and the king Alamades all these sixe together without carrying any other people in their companie but onely certaine squires for to carrie their speares In this sort went towards the battaile a gallope with their horse and according as they were of gallant proporcions and very well armed they gaue contentment vnto all that dyd behold them and the eâ—tring of these knights into the battaile fell out euel vnto a great number for that in this day a great number of the pagans lost their liues by their hands With great furie entred these sixe worthie knights into the battaile and so valiaÌ„tly besturred themselues that vnto the rest of the Gréekes they gaue new force and courage to returne vnto the fight and great wonder vnto the Pagans to sée their brauerie with great anger they put themselues amongst their enimies ouerthrowing and killing all that euer was in their waies in such sort that they left all the field whereas they went full of dead bodies there was not one although he were neuer so stout that durst abyde before them but in especiall that worthie Rosicleer who had the forehand dyd charge his enimies with so great and furious blowes that the Emperour Alicandio other Pagan kniges that dyd behold them out of the triumphant Chariot did think verely y â— it was the knight of the Sunne for that in his gallant proporcion and mightinesse of bodie he did resemble him verie much And their bloud waxed colde in their bodies to see how he did cut their knights asunder in the middest and some cloue downe vnto the gerdelsted likewise they were greatly amazed at the stoute Troyan that rode by him who ouerthrew slew with his sword all that euer he could reach and dyd in this day make aparant vnto all people the valiant discent from whence he did procéede Also that valiant Tartarian
of other Nations The third battaile was lead 〈◊〉 gouerned by that most valiant Prince Meridian who carried in his companie that stout Brandimardo the Prince of Candaria with twelue Gyants verie bigge furious and terrible to beholde which went onelie with him for the safegard of his person hée carried also fortie thousand knightes of the Scitas This being done the Emperour would not ordaine anie more battailes for that those which were ordained serued sufficient for to maintaine the battaile all that daye and being in a readinesse they remained waiting till such time as they did appeare in sight with their Ensignes for to set vpon them thinking them to be their enimies Now lette vs declare what Rosicleer did in the meane time who was verie desirous to goe forwards with his pretence after that he had made the contencion with the king Antipatro he straight waies ascended vp againe that mountaine whereas he was before he had not bene long there when that he descouered to come from that great armie of the king Oliuerio foure knights in maner of postes who came before the rest for to discouer the enimie but when he saw them somewhat farre of from the armie and nigh vnto the place where as he was he descended from the mountaine and put himselfe in the high way and trauailed forwards til such time as he met with them who séeing him they went towards him and demaunded of him if he were of that countriâ— I am saide he but wherefore do you aske mée this question we doe aske thée this said one of them for to know how manie miles it is from hence vnto Constantinople and to know in what estate remaines the Emperour Trebatio where he hath aduise of our comming or not therefore knight aduertise vs the trueth thereof if thou wilt not be our prisoner To whome Rosicleer aunswered and saide as followeth Of trueth I am very well content to certifie you of this that you doe demaund of mée for that it is not a thing degressing from knighthood but that I may verie well do it without anie compulsion You shall vnderstand that from this place vnto Constantinople you haue two miles and touching the estate of the Emperour know of trueth that he is all in a redinesse and tarrying your comming in the field with no lesse mightie and puissant an armie then this which your Lord the King Oliuerio doth bring with him and be you assured of this that when you shall come nigh within a mile of the citie of Constantinople he will méete with you in the way with all his people and giue you a verie terrible and rigorous battaile The foure knights were verie much amazed at this which Rosicleer had told them for that they thought verely that the Emperour had not bene in so great readinesse and without any more wordes they left him and returned from whence they came for to giue aduice vnto the king how that his enimies were in a redinesse and would méete him in the way and giue him battaile So when they came before him and gaue him to vnderstand of all that had passed he straight waies commaunded to put all his owne armie in a redinesse for as they were gallant and well armed knights it was a iolie thing to behold he made then repetition of his armie and deuided them in foure parts the forefront he gaue vnto the gouernemeÌ„t of the two knights of Spaine being brâ—thren and were of the principall house of the Godos they were both very valiant the one of them was called Don Claros and the other Arcalus and there comming vnto these wars onely for to proue themselues and giue to vnderstand vnto the world their great valour These two carryed with them fortie thousand knights twentie thousand of them were of Spaine and the other twentie thousand of Don Siluerio and in their companie went to the number of twentie knights of the Godos who did not a little in this battaile The second battaile was giuen vnto the gouernement of Don Siluerio with other fortie thousand knights and with him went the Princes of England Ireland Scotland the third battaile had a principall knight of Hungaria with all y â— knights of that kingdome And the fourth and rereward the king had with all the high Princes of his kingdome and the rest of all the people that remained When that they were all diuided and seperated in foure battailes and in good order and readinesse they began to march forwards by little and little till such time as the scoutes as well of the one parte as of the other had discouered the armies which came to the battaile and hauing aduice of the same they marched on the faster till such time as the forewards of either part was within a cros bow shot the one from the other which might be about two of the clocke in the after none All this time was Rosicleer beholding what passed vpon a littell hill where at he receiued great contentment thinking the tyme long to sée them together by the eares in battaile his desire was not long delated for as those two â—urious Pagans Bradaman and Bramarant came before all the rest thinking the time long to sée themselues amongst their enimies they pressed forwards towards them with so great furie that it sâ—med the earth to shake And although their furious countenaunces was sufficient to put in feare anie good knight that did behold them yet those two valiant brothers Don Claros and Arcalus putting themselues before all their companie went forth to meete them and in the face of both armies they made their encounters verie strongly Bradaman who did encounter with Don Claros lost his stirrups and declined somewhat vpon his Elephant and Don Claros embrased himselfe with his horse necke and spurring forwards his horse he setled himselfe againe passed forwards without falling Bramarant was encountered by Arcalus vpon the vizar of his helme that the sperkes of fier flew out in great abundance and being halfe amazed with that blow it made him to lose his encounâ—er which he made with â—is aduersarie So in this sorte they passed all foure of them without any falling the two brethren were highlâ— coâ—â—ended by Rosicleer that dyd with great content ment beholie them and also of the Pagans that were there present for that they had made so strong and valiant resistance against the furie of those two Pagans the which fâ—ll out euell for a great number the little profit that they had by this encounter for being full of great courage and encenced with anger in a short space they furnished the wide and broade fieldes full of dead bodies of their enimies not sparing any degrée that they dyed all the grasse with bloud of the great destruction they made on their aduersaries and in such sort they besturred themselues amongst them that all that did sée them iudged them to be diuelles of hell for that they cut knights asunder in the wast
promise vnto me with the precious Quéene Arquirosa is of so great highnesse valour that with iust reason I may thinke that shée will bée the occasion that I shall conclude friendship with you yet God who doth know the secrets of all things I doe take to witnesse that I am not constrained by loue to take you for my friend but onelie your great vertue doth binde me therevnto and this being a meane betwixt vs I saie that this is the greatest friendship that euer I might receiue of anie humane creature this thing which you doe â—ffer vnto me not being of me dâ—serued to giue me so high a damsell and worthie a Princesse to be my wife whom from this time forwards if she be so pleased I do receiue for my Ladie and Mistres likewise I do desire her to conceiue so wel of me to take me for her owne héere I do desire the king Oliueâ—io my Lord to aunswere vnto the rest y â— remaineth I hope in God y â— his answere shall be such as he is bound to giue vnto so excellent a sonne and therewithall Don Siluerio concluded his reasons the king with great contentment with that which he had said but the answere which the king made was in embracing Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia with shedding many teares that trickled downe his chéekes with pure loue he said Oh my welbeloued children God forbidde that in mée should raigne so great ingratitude against his soueraigne maiestie and to let you vnderstand and know the great curtesie that he hath shewed vnto me in giuing mée so good fortune as by his owne handes is come vnto me so precious children héere I doe receiue you and I doe loue you and will not haue neither do I looke for anie other contentment in all the world The almightie God doth know and he is a good witnesse therevnto that I came not forth out of great Britaine with so great a multitude of knightes for anie euill will that I had but for to accomplish that wherein I was bound vnto the Prince Don Siluerio and now séeing that he is content and satisfied there remaineth no other thing but let vs goe vnto the Citie of Constantinople whereas I may acknowledge and know the Emperor and Empresse for my brother and sister and aide and helpe him with these few knights that doth remaine When the king had sayd these wordes Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia did knéele downe before the king and by force did kisse his hands but the king with words of great loue did cause them to arise embracing them many times and went and embraced the faire Quéene Arquirosa and said I doe now acknowledge that all these things are ordained by the will and disposition of almightie God in that I doe see so excellent a Damsell hath béene reserued and kept and now at this time come hether to the satisfactiâ—n of the Prince Dâ—n Siluerio and I beséech his almightie maiestie to giue you so good fortune as I doe desire for my selfe and therewithall Rosicleer and Don Siluerio did embrace one another from that daie forwards there was betwixt them great loue and friendshippe Therewith came all the rest of the worthie Princes and Knightes such as knew him in great Britaine and talked with him who neuer forgot the greate friendshippe that was betwixt them Lykewise the knighâ—â—s of Spaine for the valiant déedes which they sawe him 〈◊〉 in the battaile as also for the greate fame which 〈…〉 heard of him with excéeding good will came and offered themselues to bée his friends Then hée who had them in great estimation did offer vnto them the like and estéemed them for the most stoutest and valiantest knights that were in all the armie Thus after that they had bene together in these ceremonies receiuing the one the other a good while they all mounted vpon their horses and the princesse Oliuia and the Quéene Arquirosa vpon their palfraies and tooke their waie towards the Citie of Constantinople the Prince Don Siluerio lead the Quéene Aâ—quiâ—osa by the bridle with whom he vsed many loue trickes and amorous discourses and shée likewise answered him with a gallant grace and curteous demeanour giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that so worthie a Prince had gâ—uen him vnto her for to be her husband and receiued great contentment They had not long trauailed in this order towards the Citie but theâ— sawe a farre off come out of the Citie a great companie of gallâ—nt and glistering knightes comming towardes them it was the Emperour â—rebatio accompanied with all his nobles and valiant knightes who beeing aduertised by a Page of Rosicleers of all that passed and of their comming towardes the Citie issued out to méet them and when they came nigh the one vnto the other the king and all those that were with him weâ—e greatlie amazed at the gallant and gentle disposition of the Emperour and of all those worthie Princes and knightes that came with him and sayd that all the flower and worthinesse of knighthood in the world was there ioyned together Then straight waies the Emperour went towardes the king Oliuerio and the one receiued the other with so great loue and with such excéeding courtesie as commonlie is vsed betwixt so high persons and at that instant was there confirmed betwixt them such and so great friendship that neuer after so long as they liued was separated Then the Emperour receiued the other knightes with so gallant grace and demeanour that they all receiued great contentment at the sight of him but most especiallie the king Oliuero that was talking with Bargandel Lyriamandio and the Tartarian Zoilo and the king Alamades who all together went and kissed his handes crauing pardon of all that was passed Then he with great loue did embrace them all pardoning all the rancour and euill will that he had against them and it séemed verie well vnto him in y â— they had shewed themselues so faithfull and had accomplished all that they ought could doe no lesse but beare the like to them againe So from thence they all returned vnto the Citie but when they came vnto the mightie Pallace the king and all those that came with him were in great admiration to sée and behold vpon the fore front of the same all y â— who le Histories of the knight of the Sunne and said that by his figure he resembled verie much Rosicleer which was verie true for that there was no more difference betwixt them but that the knight of the Sunne was somewhat in his face more furious and more fatter of his bodie but of one stature in all other proportions of their bodies were all one and resembled one another verie much so that the remembrance of those valyant and worthie déedes which were there so naturallie set forth vnto them that knew not thereof that it put in them so great admiration that they saide with great reason the knight of the
Sunne was worthie of the great fame praise that was published throughout all the world and onelie for the sight thereof the knights of Spâ—ine thought their comming into Grecia to be well emploied Being alighted they entered into the Pallace whereas they were meruailouslie wel receiued of the Empresse Briâ—na and the Princesse Lindaraza and of all the whole companie of faire Ladies Gentlewomen of high estate that came forth to beare her companie and there passed betwixt them wordes of great loue friendship With great ioy pleasure and pastime they passed awaie all that daie in the which the Prince Don Siluerio and the precious Quéene Arquirosa were made sure and ioyned hands abiding the marriage to be made at such time as Rosicleer should be married and Clauerindo with other mo Princes and knights that did abide the same daie Then the next daie being come for that the Citie was meruailouslie pestered with the great number of people that were in it and could not verie well at their ease be lodged it was agréed betwéene the Emperour and the king Oliuerio that a trench should be made without in the field nigh vnto the walls of the Citie and there to pitch their tents whereas should be all the whole armie of the king Oliuerio and the halfe of all the Emperours knights Thus according vnto their conclusion it was commanded to be done which was a gallant and roiall thing to behold it was stronglie fortefied with déepe ditches and barres aâ— the entrie so that they were as sure within that trench as though they had beene within the Citie In this sort they were lodged in sight the one of the other betwixt the trenches of the Pagans the Christians there was a mightie great broad field whereas they might at their ease make their battailes At this time were the Pagans verie glad and ioyfull when that their enimies were come forth of the Citie and fortefied their trenches for that it was then in their handes to giue them battaile at all times at their pleasures they cared not although they were many in number more than before yet for all that of their part they were fiue for one How it was consented and concluded in the campe of the Pagans for to make a challenge to the Greekes and how it was accepted and by what knightes of the part of the Emperour Trebatio Chap. 26. NOw the Hystorie saith that on a daie the Emperour Alycandro being in his Emperiall tent accompanied with the most principallest of his whole hoast in great counsaile what was best for them to doe there were some amongst them that did not let for to praise the high knighthood of the Emperour Trebatio and of his knightes amongst whome the olde king Gedrosia did praise them more than anie other for to prouoke Bramarant to anger vnto whome he alwaies bare ill will after that hée had slaine his sonne the young man Graco To the which ther néeded not much matter for that straight waies this stout and furious Pagan arose vp with so fierce semblance that it feared all them that did beholde him and sayd these wordes THe heartes of cowards and base men doe feare small things and receiueth great admiration the which doth procéede because they are but for little matters all that doth surmount them doth seeme vnto them monstrous and almost aboue nature and by their great cowardnesse they doe feare and dreade more one enimie that is in the fielde prepared for to fight against them than one hundreth that are on their part although euerie one of them can doe much more than his aduersarie but vnto such as bée generous of heart and valiant high things do giue contentment and there is nothing that they do heare or sée that doth make theÌ„ to meruaile or wonder The force of a little thunderbolt y â— doth cleane a tower in the middest is much more than the strength of an Elephant that carrieth a Castle of timber vpon her backe and that of the little fish called Remora that staieth the ships against the force of the windes than of a man that cleaueth an armed knight asunder in the middest But you doe meruaile more at the one than at the other for two causes the one for â—â—e feare which you haue of the people at hand of your enimies and the other for that you iudge by your owne strength all the whole power of humane nature séeming farre to exceede yours I doe not meruaile that our enimies doe cuâ— knightes asunder in the middest and cleane them downe vnto the breast for lykewise â—doe the saâ—â—â—e cleaning them downe to the saddle yâ—t much was the strength of Mâ—lo that with the force of hâ—s strong armes did cleaâ—e asunder harde and great Okes and for that you shall perceiue and vnderstand how little I doe esteeme thâ— force of our enimies I will straight wayes make and send vnto the Emperour Trebatio a challenge 〈◊〉 shall bée that foure of the strongest and most renowâ—â—â— knights that he hath with him come forth to morrowe into the field to make battaile with me for that I alone wil combat with them all together in the face of both those mightie enimies and if he hath not foure such knights that durst take vpon them to accept this challenge I will doe the like with sixe or with eight and with so many as they will charge me withal for it shal be all one with me to be foure or to be fiftie for that I will tâ—â—t these cowards may sée how little I doe feare and estéeme the Gréekes This proude Pagan had scarce finished these wordes when that the gran Campion arose vp and saide that â—ee would send likewise to challenge other foure and make battaile with them altogether ioâ—nthe with his sonne Likewise there were other of no lesse valour and valiant courage than they who for that they woulde make manifest their great and mightie power woulde also enter into the challenge and there were of those super-valiant knights the strong and stout Meridian and Brandâ—â—ardo who had before either of them proued by experience the force of the Gréekes and knew verie well the generositie of their harts which was the occasion that they would not make the challenge but against other two for that they knew it was but a follie to charge theÌ„selues w t anie moe because the Gréekes should not haue the vauntage againe in the battaile past they sawe such knightes that gaue them inough to do to defend themselues Then straight waies arose vp that valyant Pagan Rodaran king of Arabia after him the strong king of Media aâ—d with them the king of Trapobana who was a meruailous strong knight and of so bigge bodie that hée séemed to bée a Gyant hée was called Zoroastes all the which said that they would enter into the challenge and at that time if that the Emperour Alycandro had not disturbed them there were a great number that
a little while that she had there staied she mounted vp the siluer staires y â— carryed her vnto the throne whereas shaking with all parts of her bodie for the sorowfull or heauie newes which she looked to receiue she plast her selfe before the wise man who being in obedience of her soueraigne maiestie did somewhat decline his head whereat the princes receiued great admiration then she humbling her selfe vnto him saide these words following MOst mightie and famous Artidon the high fame of thy great wonderfull meruailes hath brought mée into these strange countries so farre of from mine and if it doe so fall out that I carrie from hence no more then I haue brought yet shall I think my trauaile well bestowed and my selfe verie well rewarded in that I haue séene and vnderstood thy great wisedome for as Plato the Philosopher saith for to sée and know a wise man a man ought for to trauaile throughout all the whole world which was the occasion that many times he passed from Athens vnto Sicilia for to sée his friend the wise and prudent Focion Apolonio Thianeo departed from Rome and trauailed through all Asia sayled through the Riuer Nilus sustained the cold of the mount Caucasus suffered the great heat of the mountaine Rifeos and crossed ouer the whole countries of the Masagetas till such time as he entred into the great India and all this trauaile and pilgrimage was for to see and communicate with the famous wise 〈◊〉 How much more would those haue passed greater trauailes for to haue séene those his meruailous workes if that in their daies and times they science and great wisedome had bene manifest I cannot say that this is the onely cause of my comming for to see thée as it is manifest vnto thee yet I doe say that if there were no other occasion this should bee sufficient for to come and see thée The great care which hath ben the occasion of my comming hether although I doe beléeue that thou doest know it yet will I declare it vnto thée for that he that loued so faithfully and firmely in his time will not meruaile at any force whatsoeuer it be that loue doth vpon humaine hearts I loue the knight of the Sunne aboue all other things in this world so that if my fortune and euill destenie doe permit that he take an other to be his wife I desire to know the trueth thereof for that I may remember my selfe take order what is best to be done It hath bene told mée that he is made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides and that he loued her with all his heart therefore for that there is nothing hid from thée I doe desire thée for to tell mée if it be true and put me out of all doubt for whatsoeuer that thou shalt tell mée I shall beléeue it to be true and conformable therevnto I wil take order with my selfe what is best to be done This being saide the royall princes held her peace abyding the answere which should be pronounced by the wise man who as then opened his eyes which before were shut and saide as followeth OF trueth soueraigne Lady and Empresse for that your highnesse doth verie well employ the great trauâ—ile the which you haue passed in this your long iourney onely for the sight of those my workes much more may I thinke these my trauailes better imployed the which I had in making of them I being now gratified with so high a reward in that you are come for to sée them And I doe not meruaile that loue hath had so great power for to ouercome your highnesse for that alwaies against the most highest most worthiest of courage there doth he vse the greatest force but in especiall with the knight of the Sunne for that his fortune and destinie doth promise him vnto you as vnto her that in all the whole world doth best deserue him and for you alone is he kept and defended And touching the trueth of this which you haue demaunded of mée I tell you that the knight of the Sunne was neuer made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides neither hath he hadde any more to doe with her then he hath had with you although the great and mightie Emperour Alicandro her father dyd giue her to him for wife and left vnto him his high mightie Empire of Tartaria with an infinite number of other kingedomes with the which he should be made the mightiest prince and lord in all the whole world And for that he would not receiue her and all the rest cleane contrarie vnto his will secretly in the night he departed and left the gran Cataia almost distract of their wits with great desire for to enioye the sight of your soueraigntie the which time he thought long and after he came to Constantinople and had that rigorous battaile with you the which contencion was so cruell vnto him after that he knew you that desperate and wearie of his life he would goe seeke his death to cléere himselfe out of this worlde So he departed out of Constantinople and went into the wildernesse of Grecia whereas he had battaile with one of the most valiantest and stoutest Pagans that was in all the Paganisme and yet in all that rigorous battaile he would neuer strike him with his sworde for that he hadde smitten you with the same And from thence he departed and went to sea whereas by a rough great tempest he was driuen vnto the Iland of the diuelish Fauno where as one desirous to dye and receiue the death he went a shore and had a meruailous battaile with two legious of infernall diuels and afterward with the diuelish Fauno wherein happened verie strange things as is apparant if you please to goe thether to sée where you shall finde him all alone without anie other companie more then his horse neither is there in all the Iland any other beast or foule There doth he leade and passe the most sharpest and asperest life that euer was holden by man with desire there to ende his dayes and neuer more to retourne and weare armour All this he doth for your occasion and you are in a great fault before God if you doe not finde remedie in the recouering of him againe for that by your occasion there doth languish and dye the best and worthiest knight in all the whole world and one that doth loue you better then any thing therein therefore it doth accomplish your highnesse out of hand to goe and sée him for it is so that if your succour doe stay long it may so fall out that after he shall haue no néede thereof for that at this present his life is in great perill In concluding of these words the wise Artidon closed his eyes againe did put himselfe as he was before without aunswering or speaking any word leauing the royall princes one way with so great ioy and pleasure that she almost knew not her selfe her comfort was so great
neither was there any prince in all the whole world that had the like the sight whereof dyd so trouble and amaze her that she was in 〈◊〉 dumpe with great meruaile knew not what to saye neither whether she should reioyce or be sorowfull for that one way she saw plainely that to be the Ilande whereas the knight of the Sunne ariued and an other waye those tokens with the wonderfull things which she hadde heard of that diuelish Fauno did put her in great feare that he was slaine and it séemed vnto her a thing impossible that any humaine creature could bring in subiection so diuelish and misshapen a beast Being in this thought for feare and griefe of the worst she shed so manie teares that they ranne trickling downe her faire chéekes that she was all to be bathed in them so after a while that she had bene there she mounted againe vpon her horse and went forewards but she had not gone farre from that place when as she saw the good horse Cornerino who was loose anâ— at his libertie in the fielde who like a wilde beast came running towardes her like vnto a whirle winde leaping and frisking in the ayre and neighed as though he receiued great ioye and comfort at the companie of the other horse as one that manie dayes before had bene there all alone but when the Princes sawe him and knew him verie well she thought verilie that her heart would haue burst with sorrow where with her eyes burst out with teares and hauing no power to speake one word she sayde with in her selfe Oh good horse how is it that thy maister hath left thy companie surely it cannot be well with him séeing that he hath left thée for thou art so good a péece that thou art to be estéemed of all the Princâ—â— in the world and neither thy maister nor thy selfe doth â—eserue to dwell in deserts But alas what shall I saye I am she that hath bone the occasion of all this and I beséech the soueraigne creator of all the worlde that it fall not out that I am the occasion of his death for if it be so that I haue ben y â— author and chiefe instrument of his death I will also with these my handes be reuenged on my selfe with cruell death and neuer depart from out of this Ilande but make it my sepulture for that one countrie shall possesse the bones of vs bothe so shall we remaine in death together although that cruell Fortune and my euill destinies would not permit and suffer that in our liues we could enioye the one the other In saying these words to her selfe the Princes procured for to take the horse somewhat for to comfort her selfe with his companie for that the knight of the Sunne manie times dyd ryde him but by no meanes she could not doe it for that the horse was fierce and couragious and would not suffer himselfe to be taken of anie other but of his maister the knight of the Sunne whome he dyd visit manie times and fedde diuerse and sundrie times before him in the place whereas he abode This séeing the royall Princes all to be bathed with teares which for her knights sake she shedde passed forwards on her determined iourney but she hadde not trauailed farre when as she came vnto the craggie and hard Rocke that he hadde so cutte and sheuered to péeces but yet such was his force and strength of his arme and the goodnesse of his sworde and vppon the toppe of the same shee sawe where hunge the rich sword of the knight of the Sunne with the scabbard and the hangers which were wrought and embrodered with gold and set with precious stones and knowing it verie well she was at that present more astonied amazed then she was before and comming nigh vnto it she reade that which was written in a plaine place of the same stone but when she had well understoode the effect thereof it cannot be rehearsed what she felt at that time at her heart considering of â—hrée strange meruailous things that was represented there of the knight of the Sunne The one the great loyaltie and reuerence that he had vnto her insomuch that he had stroke her with his swoord yet in the time of that great necessitie he left the same because he would not defile it with any other bloud An other in the great and soueraigne force and courage which he had for to goe fight with that diuelish Fauno without any sword The third in the great and incredible strength which he had for to cut and cleane that cragged and hard Rock sheuering of such greate péeces as verie plainely it might be séene that euerie sheuer was a blow with the sword all the which béeing by her considered the great ioy and pleasure which she should receiue in acknowledging the great loyaltie of her knight was tourned into great anguish and griefe in seing the rewarde he receiued at her hands in recompence of the great loue fidelitie he had borne vnto her And the more greater his wonderfull and excelent déedes séemed to be so much more she waxed penitent and repented her selfe and with so great griefe that it séemâ—d her soule would depart her bodie she saide as followeth OH my verie good friend if you be a liue how dare I presume to come into your presence that in recompence of so great fidelitie and loue which your déedes doe make manifest you had vnto mée and I to haue showed my selfe so cruell and contrarie vnto you And if it be so that you be departed this world what reuenge may I take of my selfe to make it equall vnto the great errour which I haue committed of trueth no other but with this thy sword I will open my entrailes and take out myne owne heart that ioyntly it may remaine in this solitarie and vnfortunate Iland as a signe and token of thy great fidelitie and faithfull good will vnto mée and contrariewise my great crueltie towards thy guiltlesse person and yet this wilbâ— but a small reuenge for so great an euill committed for the death of so high and eâ—cellent a Prince cannot be reuenged by my death In saying these words and other more of great dolour griefe and in shedding great abundance of teares she ouerwept her selfe and was verie desirous to proceede forwards to knowe what was become of the knight of the Sunne leauing the sworde hanging whereas shee found it shée departed from thence and as she trauailed for a great space with a sodaine feare that came ouer her heart in such sorte that all her members shaked that shée coulde not almost go forwardes still misdoubting the successe of the knight of the Sunne Then after a while hauing not trauailed the full quantitie of a mile a great waie before shée came whereas the Fauno was slaine shée sawe from a farre off the great bulke of the monstrous and mis-shapen bodie which seemed to be a great house ouerthrowen
to moue himselfe and turned into another place and began to distill from his eies so greate abundaunce of teares that it was a griefe to beholde Then she because she woulde not wake him quicklie withdrew her selfe on the one side and stoode behinde a trée where she tarried to sée what he would doe but could not satisfie her selfe in beholding him and giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that she had found him aliue All this time the good knight was in a dreame and dreamed that the Princesse Clandiana his mistres was come into that Iland and how that she went round about in seeking him and could not finde him and he hauing a desire to goe vnto her procured himselfe to arise but by anie meanes he could not for his strength would not serue him and shee séeing that she could not finde him returned againe vnto the Sea side whereat he receiued so great sorrow and griefe that he wept and shed those teares which the Princesse had séene Likewise it séemed vnto him that she was departed which caused in him so great anguish and griefe that in the end he awaked as one scared and amazed but when he saw it was but a dreame his griefe increased the more tumbâ—ing himselfe from one part vnto another wiâ—h mortall griefe and raging anguish he said Oh loue how is it that thou art new become lesse pittifull and more cruell than anie furie and more stronger and terrible than anie of the elements All things created hath but one kinde of death but against mortal men thou hast so many and so different kinde of torments for to cause them to die as there is difference in the diuersitie of thy thoughts and desires but yet if God were so pleased that some of them might make anâ— end and separate this soule from this my sorrowfull and heauie bodie for that it might be cléere from this outragious and burning fire but this is thy order of crueltie to kill him that is liuing not him that hath time to bewaile his death Let it suffice thée Loue this great disfauour that I haue receiued at thy hands and let it content thée in that I was of the world and now thou hast banished me into this solitarie Iland and doe not now giue mee anie new kindes of tormet in making me beleeue in dreames that the Princesse Claridiana my mistres doeth come to seeke me and to set me at libertie of this exile to the which I am committed How is it possible that shee should haue anie care sorrow or griefe ouer me she lifting vp the sword with her rigorous arme for to kill me and againe so high and soueraigne a Ladie shoulde come and seeke a knight so vnfortunate and abased as I am It may well be said that it is a dreame being a thing so variable and out of all consert and I doe now well vnderstand that it is a new procuration of loue to call vnto my remembraunce setting before mine eies that high and soueraigne glory that after being deceiued and finding my selfe frustrate and not worthie thereof it may be the occasion that my sorrow and griefe maye the more augment But now Loue vse thy will against me and let fortune shew me as much crueltie as she can for that the crueltie of the one nor the tyrannie of the other is sufficient for to make me to leaue off and not for to loue the Empresse Claridiana my Ladie Mistres and louing her for to suffer abide anie kinde of torment whatsoeuer for her sake for that the daie will come that the life shall leaue this mortall bodie the burning fire which continuallie flameth shall cease his furie In saying these wordes the knight of the Sunne expressed so great sorrow throwing from him such profound sighs that the Princesse did verie well vnderstande the greate griefe that he had at his heart and thought it not at that time perillous to giue vpon a sodaine knowledge of her being there for that she could not suffer anie longer to hide her selfe but would put remedie to her euill but yet for that shée would that that pleasure should enter into him by little and little she pulled downe the beaueâ— of her helme in such sort that he could not know her and began to goe towards him making a noise with her going that the knight of the Sunne heard it and looking about to see what it was he was greatlie amazed to sée that knight there a foote and one of a gallant disposition and well armed wher withall he straight waies arose vp vpon his féete and did abide his comming then the Princesse changing her voice all that she could saluted him saying God defend and kéepe thée noble and famous knight for that as I vnderstand and according vnto the things which I haue séene in this Iland you should be the knight of the Sunne who hath slaine the diuellish Fauno So the Lorde increase in you gentilitie and worthinesse Sir Knight he answered truth it is that I am the knight whom you haue named and meruaile greatlie to see you in this place for that many daies past there hath not landed at this Ilande anie other person but I alone I doe verilie beléeue it sayde the Princesse for that this was not a Countrie that anie other should enter in of lesse bountie valiant force than y â— of yours for that there is none other in al the whole world amongst humane creatures but onelie you that was sufficient for to cléere and set at libertie the entrâ—e into this Iland And you shall vnderstand that by the force of a greate storme that wée had at the Sea we were driuen vnto this Ilande and being desirous for to knowe what Countrie it was I came ashore whereas I haue seene so many strange things that so long as I doe liue I shall haue inough to do to tell of the same and I giue great thankes vnto almightie God who hath brought mée hether as well for that I haue séene some parte of your worthinesse as also for to importune and desire you for to leaue this solitarie life which appertaineth vnto brute beasts and to departe from hence turning a new to vse and exercise your armour for that such a worthie Knight as you are shoulde not bée absent from the worlde and héerin you commit great offence against God for that hée hath employed in you so greate bountie and you not to vse it you shall vnderstand that God did not giue it vnto you for your selfe alone but also for to defend and succour all such as hath neede thereof Lykewise it cannot bée without grieuous offending of the almighte God to cause vnto your parents so great sorrow and griefe alonelie for your absence which is no lesse griefe vnto them than the death and for my parte heere I doe aduertise you that if you doe not out of hande departe from hence in my companie that I wil remaine héere with you
that curtesie at her hands knéeling downe before her he tooke and kissed her lilie white hande perforce receiuing thereby more glorie then if he had bene made Lord ouer all the world Then the Princes a new did embrace him and almost by force dyd cause him to arise saying your highnes worthie Prince doth not consent that you vse with anie this courtesie much lesse with mée that am whollie yours Then the good knight said ah mistresse as you are all onely she in all the world next vnto God that may shew me courtesie so haue you now this my mortall bodie glad ioyfull and happie I am not onely bound vnto you to kisse your hands but if so be that the great loue which I beare vnto you doe not deserue it then is not my high estate sufficient that I deserue to enioye so great courtesie and héere in I doe receiue so great glorie that if continuallye I may enioy your presenâ—e with a verie good will I would forget all highnes and royall estates and liue and leade my lyfe here with as great ioye and pleasure in your companie better then in any royall pallace and thinke my selfe verely to be in eternall Paradise I would to God replyed the Princes that with our honors and emperial states we might accomplish the same leading our liues here together in this solitarie Iland for that for my pleasure and contentment I request no other thing but onely the enioying of your companie in place whereas I might not be desturbed one minute of an houre but for that fortune hath exalted vs vnto so high estate and that God hath not created vs with so great callings onely to serue our selues but we must as we are bound accomplish and performe our duties to our subiects and goe and sustaine our emperiall estates and in especially you hauing so excelent parentage you are the more bound for to goe and see them and to take from them by your presence the great and long heauinesse which they haue receiued by your absence Then the good knight saide Mistresse I doe receiue so great ioye and contentment of heart onely in beholding of you that as the happie saints vnto whome the losse of parents nor any worldly thing can cause them to féele anie paine sorow and griefe euen so I being in your presence there is no absence nor any other thing that can giue or cause vnto mée sorow and griefe but yet for all this vse you your will and discretion for that I haue no will but whereas is yours These and many other mo amorous words passed béetwixt these two true and perfect louers and yet could neither of them manifest entirely the great ioye and pleasure the which they receiued at their hearts After a while that they had passed the tune in this their ioyfull méeting they sate themselues downe vpon y â— gréene grasse in the shadow vnder those huge and mightie trées whereas with swéete words still more amorous then eloquent they discoursed the one with the other of all thinges that hadde happened vnto them since their departure out of Constantinople And the princes did giue the knight of the Sunne to vnderstand the occasion why and wherefore she made battaile with him and how much sorow and griefe the supition thereof dyd cause vnto her and how and in what sort she was put out of all doubt concerning the same Likewise she tolde him of all the great preparation to the warres which was made in Grecia at her departure and how she vnderstoode that all the whole Paganisme and a great part of Christendome came against the emperour Trebatio for which cause he dyd put himselfe in a redinesse to receiue them and was verie sad and sorowfull for his absence all which when the knight of the Sunne vnderstood he straight waies had a great desire to be in Grecia séeming that in time of so great necessitie there was no reason that he should be absent in especiall for that the chiefest occasion and greatest part of those warres were for his sake Being in this communication they could not be certified the one to heare the other they saw comming towardes them two damsells vpon two palfraies whome the princes dyd straight wayes know to be her Damsells whome she left in the shippe and being greatly amazed that the princes taryed so long and not retourned came a land and went in her demaunde with great sorow and heauines because they could not finde her but when they sawe her and knew the knight of the Sunne they were wonderfully glad as well for the ioye which theyr mistresse receiued therein as also for the strange things which they had séene in that Iland And surely they were verie sad thinking that the knight of the Sunne hadde bene dead because he had not bene heard of a long time When these two Damsells came vnto them they left ceased their amorus communication and receiued them verie courteously Presently vppon the gréene grasse they dyd eate of such vittailes as the Damsels had brought a shore from the ship for their Ladie mistresse whereas y â— knight of the Sunne with the great ioye and pleasure that he receiued at his heart the coulour and semblant of his face was chaunsed so that he séemed an other maner of man and shewed the true and perfectâ—perfection in coulour and presence the which nature had wrought in him And the Princes for to sée him in that sort was so glad ioyful that ther was no pleasure that might be compared vnto hers After that they had eaten well refreshed themselues the knight of the Sunne séeing his good horse Cornerino in companie with that of the Princesse he lured and straight waies he came vnto him for that he had vsed him therevnto so he tooke him and after that that of the Princes and being both desirous to depart from thence they tooke each other by the hande and went vnto the place whereas the knight of the Sunne had left his good armour there he armed himselfe againe with them being holpen by the princes for that her Damsells with the great feare which they had of the diuelish Fauno the which was dead durst not come nigh them And the knight of the Sunne séeing him so fauoured and holpen by the hands of his Ladie and mistresse was in that case that he knew not whether he was in heauen or vppon the earth and being in this glorie readie for to depart out of the solitarie Iland the Historie doth leaue them till time doe serue ¶ Of the strong and well foughten battaile that was betwixt the fiftene knights of the Emperour Trebatio with the fiftene of the Emperour Alicandro Chap. 30. WHen that the day was come of the challenge and that the battaile should be tryed betwéene the fiftene knights of the Emperour Trebatio and the other fiftene of y â— Emperour Alicandro they were all in a redinesse and the field whereas the battaile should
hée not with so great â—ase get of him the victorie for that Bradaman after that hée had the battaile with the knight of the Sunne dyd alwayes after arme himselfe with verie strong and inchaunted armour and it was so excéeding good that the good swoorde of the Quéene Iulia was not able by anie meanes to cut it and besides this his blowes were so strong and heauie that when so euer he chaunced to strike a full blowe vppon him hée made him to stoupe with his knées and handes vnto the ground and hée had as much care for to cléere himselfe from his terrible blowes as he had for to strike him so that the battaile betwéene them was very well fought and in great doubt and put great admiration in the Emperour Alicandro in all them that dyd behold theÌ„ In all this time dyd the other knights make their combat verie strongly some a foote and some a horsebacke the which was a thing worthie to behold to sée what terrible blowes were stroken the breaking of shieldes câ—tting of harnesse vnmailing of goriets making the fire to flye out of their stéely healmes and harnesse of so great aboundance that it was strange to beholde so that the battaile was so strong and well foughten of euery part that one whole houre was passed and there was no aduauntage knowen nor séene of any part amongst them and the great valiantnesse of either of them was such that they did deserue particulerlie their worthinesse to be declared but by reason that there were so many together and mingled the one with the other they could not deserâ—e the worthinesse that they did Amongst them all their blowes were terrible but in especiall those valiant Princes Meridian and Clauerindo who with so great furie did strike their blowes that many times they were both astonied and either of them were greatly amazed at the great strength of his aduersary and the prince Meridian said that the knight in his blowes resembled the knight of the Sunne Likewise those stout and valiant knights Brandimardo and Oristedes with no lesse furie and redoubled blowes did charge their aduersaries and put great admiration in all them that did beholde the battaile who saide that they twaine were two of the stoutest knights that were in all the world It was no lesse worthie of beholding the great conteÌ„cion that was betwixt the good Emperour Trebatio and the stout king of Arabia Rodaran whose blowes were of so great force that they wer heard a great way of and being an houre past since the battaile began the strong Pagan was greatly amazed at the great force and strength of the Emperour and sayd within himselfe that it was impossible for him to get any honour in that cruell battaile for that continuallie the force and lightnesse of his aduersarie encreased and a thing to be wondered at was his valiant courage of whome naturally his sonnes had receiued the like And the Emperour Alicandro and all those kings which were with him that dyd beholde him and knew him being greatly amazed said that he was one of the most valiantest knights in all the whole world and one that was most fiercest in battaile Then the olde king of Gedrosia sayde My flesh and my bones trâ—â—ble when I doe thinke of that I shall sée this Emperour doe in the field against vs he being in the middest betweene both his sonnes and it séemeth vnto mée that there is no securitie whereby from the furie of their armes we cannot make any defence and this good knightes that we haue on our part behold how many there is to the contrarie who doeth make resistance and detaine them till the other doth destroy these miserable people At which words all those mightie kings that were in the triumphant Chariot laughed verie much and imputed them vnto the great feare and little force the which the king had for that he was olde But yet time happened afterward that they did féele and know that the words which he spake procéeded more of wisedome and vnderstanding then of feare Likewise it was a thing worthie to be séene the furious and well foughten battaile that was betwixt the sonnes of the Gran Thiteon and the sixe knights their aduersaries for according as they were all strong and valiant it were enough to doe in this Chapter onely to declare of their valiantnesse for the force of the Gyants was wonderfull and they stroke their blowes with so great furie that either of them was sufficient to cleaue an armed knight downe to to the wast but yet they contended with such knights who knew verie well how to resist their great strengthes and made them to sweate droppes of bloud for that they hadde amongst them that mightie and strong knight Brandizel who by reason that he was verie bigge of bodie and of great force and hot in courage brought his aduersarie in a great perplexitie and all his armour broken and vnbuckled although they were a finger thicke and this was the eldest of the sixe bretheren with whome he combatted and the most valiantest and strongest on the other side did combat those two valiant warriors the king Sacridoro and the worthie Tartarian Zoylo and behaued themselues in such sorte in their battaile that they gaue them verie well to vnderstand who they were Likewise with no lesse couragious force those two most valiant knights Don Claros and Arcalus did oppresse with their mightie blowes the two Giants their aduersaries in such sort that in the space of one houre they brought them in that case that the victorie appeared to be theirs and for that those two knights were not knowne they were greatly amazed there at for their highe and strange bountie The good knight Flamides did make battaile with the younger brother of the sixe Giants and although the battaile betwixt them was well foughten and verie perilons yet for all that by reason that his armour was excelent good and he verie light and stoute he had the vauntage of his aduersarie Also the valiant king Florion and the king of Media made their battaile with mightie furious blowes but before that one houre was past of the battaile it was well knowen that the king Florion was the valianter of both At this time the foure princes had so entreated their aduersaries that they were verie wearie and faint and they likewise were well moyled for that they had receiued great and mightie blowes of them for they were stronge stoute and valiant Thus in this sort was this cruel battaile betwixt them all the best fought that euer was séene betwixt so manie knights for that all those that dyd behold them hadde their eares deafened with the continuall sounde of the hard and thicke blowes that were stroke amongst them and there could not have bene a greater noyse if therâ— hadde bene a hundreth Smithes together working and striking vppon their aâ—â—ells Likewise in this time it was a meruailous thing to sée and beholde Rosicleer with Bradaman
horse necke he hadde surely fallen to the ground And as ye he hadde not well righted himselfe in the saddle when that this stronge Pagan stroke him an other blow ouerthwart the healme that he daseled the sight of his eyes and it lacked little to depriue him of his remembraunce Then this valiant knight séeing himselfe so entreated of his enimie being all kindeled in wrath raysed himselfe in his stirruppes and with his sword in both his handes dyd strike such a furious blow at this stout and diuelish pagan vpon his enchanted healme that being depriued of his sight and remembraunce he declyned backewards so much that his head almost touched his horse buttockes in such sorte that if he hadde not straight wayes come to his remembrance and with all the strength of his legges and bodie procured to bustle vp himselfe againe with that alone blow hée hadde bene ouerthrowen to the earth then with great furie and wrath they began to charge the one the other with their heauie and fell blowes and according vnto the terrible force with which they stroke it séemed that the battaile began anewe Meridian and Brandimardo who dyd behold all that hadde passed sayde it may be that this is the knight of the Sunne who so long time hath bene absent and could not be heard in all the countrie of Grecia for that it is not to be beléeued that any knight in all the whole world should doe that which this worthie and valiant knight hath done in our presence except the knight of the Sunne They dyd also on the other part beholde the cruell and 〈…〉 had with the Gâ—aâ— Campion who likewise they dyd not knâ—w whereat they were greatly wondered and it séemed vnto them that those foure which at that present dyd there combat were foure of the most 〈…〉 in all the worlde and they sayde within 〈◊〉 that the Emperour Trebatio had not in all his court a knight that one to one could resist the great and mightie strength and furious rages of the two Pagans but onely the valiant Rosicleer whome they dyd iudge of a truth to bee the same that dyd combat with the stout Bradaman Now was it a good houre and a halfe since the battaile was begunne at which time the stoute and furious Bramarant séeing that his aduersarie endured his mightie and heauie blowes so long before him was readie to burst with anger and began to blaspheme and curse himselfe for that at one blow he could not cleaue him a sunder right downe from the toppe of his head to the wast the which strong resistaunce made him to thinke verely that he should be one of his false goddes or else all they together hadde placed their force and strength in that alone knight for to battaile against him which caused his great pryde the more to encrease and being troubled with that thought he forced himselfe by his pride for to surmount the diuine Goddes he tooke his heauie sword in both his handes and raysing him selfe all that euer he could in his stirruppes and like a furious whirle winde he went against the good knight of the Sunne and his wrath was such that I thinke there was no stéele or Diamonde nor any other hard thing in all the world that could make any resistance against that mortall and diuelish blow for that this fierce Pagan for to accomplish his furie forced himselfe all that euer he could to haue bereaued the valiant knight of the Sunne of life and â—im and his wrath was suche that the wise and learned clarke Lirgandeo was in doubt that againste that mightie force should support any thing the inchauntement of the armour which the wise man sent to the good knight of the Sunne but he who saw him come so wrathfull and furious with a mightie and valiant courage dyd abide him And at such time as he would haue discarged his heauie sword vpon his helme he lift vp his sword with both his hands for to ward the same and receiued that mightie 〈…〉 same for that the edge of his sworâ—e was 〈◊〉 finer fiâ—er and sharper then his it cut the sword of Bramarant a sunder in the middest and the péece which remained towards the hilt lighted vpon the healme of the knight of the Sunne and although it was not much yet dyd it depriue him of his sight Then the good knight being greatly amazed at the mortall furie of his enimie dyd pray vnto God from the bottome of his heart for to remember him not to forget leaue him in that perilous conflict It séemed at that time that he had great néede of the diuine fauour for to get victorie in that battaile at which time his wrath and yre increased with so great anger to sée himselfe so intreated before his mistres by one alone knight that he retyred backe somewhat from the place whereas they made the battaile from whence hée set spurres vnto his horse came against Bramarant with so great furie that the earth séemed to tremble vnder him and his fiercenesse was such that it séemed to put some dread into the heart of that fierce Pagan in the which before neuer entred any feare for I insure you who so euer had sene that furious knight with his sword aboue his head in both his hands and with what wonderfull furie he came against him would haue had no lesse feare of him then of the thunderbolt that falleth out of the ayre so in this sorte when he approched vnto the Pagan he stroke and chaunsed such a blow vpon his great thick and inchaunted healme with so great furie that it hadde bene sufficient for to haue clouen a Smithes stithe asunder in the middest and for that the fine cutting edge of his sword could not cut the magical arte and inchauntment of his strong healme yet dyd that blow so ouercharge his head by the great waight thereof that it tooke his remembrance cleane from him and lyke a dead thing he fell forwards vppon his saddle bow and horse neck hanging downe his head and out at the ioynts of his helme issued great 〈◊〉 of bloud and his mightie horse being tormented with the force of that blowe â—anne out of that place and put himselfe into the thickest of that wildernesse with his Lord then the knight of the Sunne who desired not to folow him retourned vnto Meridian and Braâ—dimardo saying Sir knights I doe desire you to pardon mée if you haue any anger against mée in that I tooke vppon mée the battaile with that proude knight that did combat with you for I ensure you that his great pride would not let mée to giue place vnto y â— I am bound to your great courtesie and bountie Then dyd Meridian and Brandimardo verie much behold him and were greatly amazed at his great strength and said within themselues that he was the most valiant in all the whole world for that he alone hath done that which the whole armie of the Emperour
sorrowful newes vnto all them especiallie when they vnderstoode of the death of the Gran Campion and how that their valiant and worthie knightes did euerie daie decrease and waxe fewer in number on their part and how that on the part of the Emperour â—rebatio they dyd increase euâ—rie daie more more yet was all this nothing in comparison vnto that griefe which the fayre Princesse Lyndabrides felt when she vnderstoode how that the knight of the Sunne in companie with the Princesse Claridiana was come into Constantinople vnderstanding verilie that he was continuallie with her in presenceâ— all the time that he was absent out of Grecia and how that he had taken her to be his wife It cannot bée heere rehearsed the greaâ— griefe and exceeding anguish the which the felt within her selfe in such sort that many times shée was readie to die therewith and putting her selfe in a closet by it selfe in her tent she dyd nothing but wéep complaining against her selfe and fortune and after that many contrarie thoughtes had occupied her minde and senses fighting one against an other without finding anie comfort or case in thinking of them with great wrath and anguish of heart shée tooke paper and Inke and with her owne hand shée wrote a Letter vnto the knight of the Sunne the contents were as followeth A Letter written by the Princesse Lyndabrides vnto the knight of the Sunne IF the diuine Gods and my cruell destinie had permitted that as I am constrained to loue thée I might I 〈◊〉 had so much libertie for to forget thée then had not I returned againe into Grecia neither had consented that the Emperor my Father with so infinite a number of people had enterâ—d into this Countrie for to be reuenged of thée for that it had béene a sufficient reuengement and satisfaction vnto mée for to leaue thée and not to thinke that I was shée that was of thée forgotten but to leaue thée as one â—nworthie of my great beautie not deseruing to inioy my emperiall and consecrated estate But oh my euill fortune and mishap which caused mée so firmlie to loue and beare thée good will that there remaineth no part within mee but it is yeelded to bée all thine neither haue I so much power as for to put thée one moment out of my remembrance I knowe not what cruell and vniust lawe is this of Loue for the more that thou diddest vnderstand and know that I did loue thée thou haddest the greater libertie for to forget mée and the more that thou wert cruell and forgetfull of mée the more did my loue and good will increase towardes thée I am aduertised that thou and the Empresse Claridiana are come together to Constantinople the companie of so worthie a Damsell is not to be left neither is there anie reason to speake euill of her but for her that doth loue thée as I doe it cannot bée without suspition for that my sorrowfull heart hath deuined it and mine eyes doth now sée that thou doest desire her to bee thy wife and shée is not displeased therewith but when that I doe imagine with my selfe what thou hast bâ—ne and consider lykewise what thou nowe art I cannot thinke anie other thing but that there are two knightes called of the Sunne in this world and that thou art another and not the same that was wont to bee all at my commaundement Is it possible that thou art hee who at the first time that thou diddest beholde mée in my triâ—mphant Chariot â—ert troubled in such sort that if thou haddest not been succoured by thy Page and my Damsell thâ—u haddest follen from thy horse vnto the ground Art thâ—u by fortune that same knight of the Sunne that for to defende my iustice thou tookest vpon thée that strong and perilloâ—s contention with the Prince Meridian 〈◊〉 brother 〈…〉 not bee that thou shouldest bee that knight of 〈◊〉 Chariot that diddest so long time defend the great and singular beautie of the Princesse Lyndadrides in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio Of truth it must néedes bée some other that did shew so great and entire loue vnto mée and so absolutlie dyd publish himselfe to bée all and whâ—lie at my commaundement What is become of those amorous and swéete wordes that thou wert wont to vtter and speak vnto mée and those deepe and profound sighes with the which thou gauest mee to vnderstand the greate griefe that thou receiuedst for my loue Is it possible that thou hast forgot thy selfe or hast thou lost thy wits and memorie With what great ioy and contentment thou wentest in my companie towards the gran Tartaria hoping at thy comming thether to be married vnto me and how many times I was required of thée in that iourney Hast thou forgotten that for the celebrating of our nuptials thou diddest cause in the gran Catâ—ya to bée ioyned together all the kings and mightie Lords almost all the Pagans how that my father the Emperour Alyâ—andro had receiued thée for his sonne and all his subiects for their Lorde Of truth I doe verilie beléeue that all this thou hast forgotten and doest not remember anie of these things of the which I doe not greatlie meruaile for that hee who did forget the lawe of the diuine Gods and doth renounce the same it is not much that hée doe forget and denie all this that betwixt him and mée hath passed My verie heart doth cleaue and part a sunder and my soule is readie to depart my bodie with great griefe when that I doe thinke thereof and the great abundance of water that dailie distilleth from my eyes doth declare and testifie that it cannot indure long but that my life will likewise distill and consume awaie the which I do beséech the immortall Gods that it might shortlie come to passe for it shall bée vnto me a great glorie to lacke lyfe rather than to féele such excéeding great anguish and mortall paine I woulde write vnto thée more at large for according vnto the great reason the which I haue to complaine my selfe of 〈◊〉 although I dydde nothing else in two dayes yet should I haue matter inough against 〈…〉 thinges which doth withdrawe my handes and my will not to consent that I shall doe it the one is that they who haue borne thée so much good will and loued thée as I haue done it is not good for to inlarge much with anger for that vttering with passion causeth for to saie that which after doth repent them the other for whereas doth lack loue and good will many times briefe reasons doth séeme large and prolixious the third is for that I doe know that all whatsoeuer I shall write vnto thée thou wilt stoppe thy eares thereat so that all my writing shall bée in vaine and therefore I am determined to bée quiet and holde my peace and conclude with this that either the bones of this sorrowfull and vnfortunate Princesse Lyndabrides shall remaine in Grecia or else
the Princesse Claridiana and that her suspition fell out to be true she remained as one dead and knew not what to saie nor to doe but to complaine of her Gods and of fortune and it is to beléeued that her lyfe had not endured long if that shée had not béene wonderfullie succoured as shal bée declared vnto you héereafter in this Hystorie How the stout and furious Pagan Bramarant ouerthrew and destroyed all the Idolls in the Campe and how the Emperour Alycandro for to appeale him caused to be brought with great honor the bodie of the gran Campion that was in the wildemesse of Grecia and what happened ouer and aboue this Chap. 36. THe great wrath and furie was so excéeding of that proude and barbarous sonne of the gran Campion for the death of his Father that there was not roome inough for him in all that mightie campe of the Pagans but he ranne vp and downe from one place to another like vnto a mad man or one from himselfe crying out making a great and terrible noise casting vp his firie eies vnto the heauens blaspheming and deâ—ieng his Gods vttering wordes of great reproch and anger thinking thereby to prouoke them vnto wrath to cause them to descende vpon the earth against him where he might execute his wrath vpon them As he was wholie ignorant of the immortall paines which these false Gods in whom the Pagans do beleeue and worship hath in hell and for that in no place he could take anie rest or be in quiet hée went into all the Tents of the Campe whereas he found many Idolles verie rich and of great price whome hée ouerthrew and cut in peeces with his sword and left not one standing neither was there anie king or knight of so great hardinesse that durst make anie resistance against him but onelie those two mightie and valiant knightes the Prince Meridian and Brandimardo who with a verie good will woulde haue baunted the pride of that proude and insolent Pagan if the Emperour had not disturbed them in requesting them not to returne to renue anie more their contention and anger so that finding not one that durst make anie resistance against him the pride of this furious and fierce Pagan Bramarant encreased so much that he neuer stayed till that hée came into the Emperiall Tent of the Emperour Alycandro within the which was a verie greate and rich stature of golde full of precious stones dedicated vnto the God Iupiter the which was made by the diuells arte in such sort that the Diuell was within the same and spake by the mouth of that Idoll deceiuing those wicked and miserable Pagans who with great reuerence and dutie did prostrate themselues vnto the ground and worshipped him it was set vppon a verie rich Alter whereas none durst be so bold as come nigh vnto it except certaine Priestes which were consecrated for to doe sacrifice vnto him dailie Besides this the Emperour Alycandro had in many places round about his great Tent many other Idolles whome hée dyd worship and all his subiects and being that daie in his great Tent accompanied with all those mightie kings and Lords of his whole Campe ordaining for to giue battaile vnto the Emperour Trebatio this mightie Pagan armed with his strong armour mounted vpon his mightie horse entered into the Tent and when hée sawe the stature of the God Iupiter vppon the Alter as soone as he was entered in hée went towards the same and in drawing out his sword hée sayd Now will I sée if the power of that Christian Knight bée more than thine And in saying these wordes he stroke him such a right downe blowe that although it were made of massie golde yet hée cloue it downe to his breast and falling one peece from another there was sodainlie hearde a great and timerous thunder clappe wherewith it séemed that the heauens woulde haue rent a sunder and in the middest of the great Tent was séene a vestigell or spirite so dreadfull and horrible to beholde that it séemed to bée some infernall vision casting out fire at his nose and eyes and in both his handes he had a great mase of yron with the which he made a shewe as though he would haue stroken Bramarant vpon the head as those which had no more power but onelie for to put in feare with those his visages and semblances so that alone with the sight of him there was not one in all that Tent but dyd tremble ansd was afraide thinking verilie that they should be destroied for that which Bramarant had done But this proude Barbarian who feared not all that infernall companie with no more dreade than if it had bene a weake and féeble damsell he did abide his comming and as this vestigell or diuell did make a profer to strike him with his mase the Pagan stroke a terrible blow at him with his sword and thinking to haue clouen him a sunder in the middest hee stroke at nothing but at the aire for that the vestigell as a fancie consumed awaie and was no more séene in the Tent. But the Emperour and all those that were with him were verie sorrie for that which Bramarant had done mistrusted that there would happen vnto them great euill and misfortune for the same yet for all that there was not one amongest them all that durst retourne against him in the quarrell of their Gods but one Meridian and Brandmardo who because they would not anger the Emperour were in quiet wherewith Bramarant went out of the tent with great furie Then the Emperour thought within himselfe that it were good somwhat to appease his furie for to send for the bodie of the gran Campion which laie dead in the wildernesse of Grecia and to burie him with that honor and solempnitie as is vsed in their Countrie euen so as he thought he put it in vre and straight waies commaunded that thirtie crowned kings the most principallest of all the armie should put on mourning apparell and cause him to be laide vpon a béere and so brought vnto the Campe and commanded to accompanie them ten thousand armed knightes and all those Gyants that came from the Orientall Ilands that were subiect vnto Bramarant shoulde goe with them And in this sorte these thirtie kings with all their companie departed according vnto the vse and manner of their Countrie which was a strange thing to sée when they came into the wildernes they straight waies found the bodie of y â— gran Campion which was begun to bée eaten with the fowles and after that they all for a while had made great lamentation and bewailed his death those kings for to doe him more honour did balme him and then laid him vpon a Béere which they brought with them that was verie rich and couered with a faire cloth of Tissue and so carried him towards the Campe whereas he was receiued with great honour by the Emperour and all those mightie Princes that were
with him who went forth and met with them a good mile off The manner which they vsed for to giue his sepulchre with more honour according vnto the vse of their Countrie was that they laide the dead corse vpon a verie broade and smooth marble stone all white whereas they burned and consumed the bodie all to ashes and in the meane time that hée was a burning all the principallest of the whole armie were placed round about the fire all couered with robes of Sackcloth so long that it trailed vppon the ground and made great sorrow and lamentation and praied vnto their Gods to receiue him into their companie in which time all the praiers which his sonne Bramarant made was no other but blaspheming against all the Elements and against nature for that they had power for to consume and burne the bodie of the Gran Campion his Father Thus when that the bodie was all consuned and burned the ashes remaining vpon the Marble stone the which was taken and put in verie rich vessells of golde wherevnto they put water and stirred it together and put the vessells vpon a faire Table Then the Emperour Alycandro the more to honour the Gran Campion beganne first for to drinke of the same mixture and after him Bramarant and after them in order all those Kings Princes and worthie Knightes that were in the Campe till such time as they left no mention of the water and ashes so the mightiest Lords that were in all the Paganisine made their bodies the sepulchre of that mighty Pagan and this they had amongst them for the most honorablest burying that could be With these and many other thinges moe which the Emperour Alycandro commaunded to bee done for the Gran Campion making great lamentation for his death Bramarant was somewhat appeased and lost great part of that outragious furie and wrath which he had conceiued and vnderstoode and procured no other thing but onelie how and by what meanes he might make terrible and cruell reuengement for the death of his welbeloued Father Then after certaine daies were past of the truce which was taken with the Gréekes they beganne of all partes to prepare and make themselues in a readinesse against the battaile that was determined and was thought to be of both partes the brauest and most cruellest and bloudie that euer was séene vpon the earth for that the Emperour Alycandro had commaunded that the first daie that the Gréekes should come forth for to giue them battaile that all the people of their Campe shoulde procéede against them for that they wold at once conclude that enterprise and not to leaue their aduersaries anie force and strength at all for to return againe vnto the fielde for although there were many battailes betwixt them as the Hystorie hath shewed you yet there went not forth the third parte of the people that was there with them which were so many in number that there might well bée made of them thrée mightie armies and of truth there was neuer séene in all Asia nor buropa so many and so valyant stout and worthie knightes gathered together as were at that present in the fields of Constantinople Now let vs leaue the Pagans in readinesse for the battaile to come and let vs veturne vnto the Gréeks that were in the mightie Citie of Constantinople What the Greekes did and how the king Liseo and the faire Queene Radamira came to aide the Emperour Trebatio and what happened besides Chap. 37. IT was a thing of great wonder vnto the Gréekes to sée themselues closed within the Citie and so compassed about in their owne fields for their enimies were so great and infinit a number of Pagans that it might well be sayd that they had against them all the whole force of the world for there were in the field an infinite number of barbarous people of different and diuerse Nations and the most part proude and terrible Gyants that the like were neuer seene in all the world but God of his goodnesse created such heartes in that mightie Emperour Trebatio and in his worthie proicnie as also in those high Princes and stout worthie valiant knights that were in his companie that not onelie they were without all feare and dreade but also had great force and courage for to destroie and ouercome all those that had compassed them about and there were few or none amongst them but receiued great contentment to be there at that present for that the Emperour Trebatio séeing with him his sons and so many worthie Princes knights receiued so great ioy and pleasure that he thought himselfe to be the most happiest and fortunatest Prince in all the world And of the knight of the Sun of the faire and soueraigne Empresse of Trapisonda it may wel be said that ther was neuer sâ—â—ne two hearts with so great contentment for that hauing one the other in presence either of them thought themselues in paradise although you must vnderstand that in all this time the knight of the Sun could neuer bring to effect his desire with the roiall Princesse for she was of so high a courage y â— the knight of the Sun neuer durst in heart cause her to receiue anie anger neither woulde shée consent to anie thing that was against her honour the which she had alwaies before her eies more than anie damsell in her time With no lesse ioy than they liued those two faithfull and perfect louers the faire Princesse Oliâ—ia and Rosicleer who being in presence together thought themselues cléere of all sorrowes and griefes the which the one had sustained for the other whereat the king Oliuerio receiued no small glorie and contentment for y â— it séemed vnto him y â— with no other Prince in all the world he could not haue married his Daughter so highlie and worthilie as he had married her neither coulde she haue bene exalted to no higher estate So that he all those that came with him from great Britaine were wonderfullie amazed to sée the mightinesse of the Emperor Trebatio the highnesse of his Court so furnished with a greate number of worthie Princes and valiant knightes as also with so many faire and precious damsells that of truth it might be spoken that there was neuer seene so great highnesse and maiestie in the court of anie Prince before y â— time And the Pagans that came forth of Persia with the king Florion meruailed greatlie to see the orders of the Court of Grecia for by the sacrifices ceremonies of the Christians for that they did see and behold them euerie daie to be done with great iumptuousnesse reuerence they were partlie inclined to thinke well of the lawe and faith of Iesu Christ true God and man and trucâ—â—e although there were many that died for this loue which the knight of the Sunne had wich the 〈◊〉 Lyndabâ—â—les yet grew there not so little effect 〈◊〉 of these famous wars but that by occasion of 〈…〉
encounter with the other Kinge who was called Leopardo and dyd so valiantlie herein that he dyd verie well make apparant the high progenitie from whence he dyd descend for being verie strongly encountered with that Giant which made him to loose the raines of his bridle and his stirruppes and to embrace him selfe with his horse necke yet dyd he make his iust with so great force and strength that he ouerthrew him and his Elephant downe to the ground one vpon an other and by reason of the great waight of the fall which dyd bruse him so â—ore that he could neuer arise but dyed presentlye in the place whereas he laye Now at such time as these encounters were made betwéene the fire knights the two first battailes were ioyned together whereas was so great a number slaine on the one part and on the other that the liuing could not passe but vpon the dead bodies and by reason of the great dust that dyd arise amongst them they could scarce see any other thing but the great number of horses and Elephant that ranne loose out from the thickest of the pâ—eace And sure it was a most pitifull and lamentable thing to heare the great shrickes and cryes of those that were hurt and maymed for without all doubt manie a thousand of them might haue bene cured and haue liued if they could haue bene by anie meanes holpen to arise and come forth but by reason of the great preace and multitude they dyed a miserable death vnder the horse feete But who so euer hadde séene at that present the knight of the Sunne in presence of his mistresse the princes Claridiana how y â— in a smal time he ouerthrew â—â—ew more then thirtie of those giant knights that came with Bramarant some of them he cutte off their armes other he cloue their heads and othersome he cloue down to their breasts in such sort that in so small time there was neuer séene so great a slaughter done by one alone knight And the royall Princes with Oristedes who followed him many times did with draw themselues from fighting for to beholde the meruaiuailous actes that he dyd and the sight thereof dyd so alter them that the bloud within their bodies séemed to ware colde to see the terrible and mortal blowes which he stroke and although they for their parts dyd kill and ouerthrow all that came before them yet had they enough to doe to â—olow him his furie was so great wherewith he put himselfe amongst his enimies and his souldiers that dyd behold the wonders which those thrée dyd tooke meruailous courage themselues in such sorte that in a little time the battaile had bene ouer come if it had noâ— bene for that strong and stout Bramarant who played y â— diuell amongst the Gréekes killing all that euer he could reach with his long broade cutting sword against the which they could make no more resistance then against a thunder bolte This daye was the death of the Gran Campion vnto many verie deare and sorowfull for that his sonne for to make cruell reuengement for the same with furious wrath and mortall anger doth destroy ouerthrow all that commeth before him wherewith he doth increase the streames of bloud in the fielde that it flowed with great aboundance The kings likewise of the Oriental Ilands such as remained dyd healpe him verie much in this slaughter for that they were great Gyants and deformed the people fled away before them as from the diuell of hell Likewise all the rest of the people that came with the gran Campion from those Ilands by reason that they dyd surmount in stature and bignesse the people oâ— Grecia and more in number dyd kill and destroy manie oâ— them and in that place whereas they went they had the better hand so that y â— battaile was in ballance for that on the one side the Grâ—â—kes 〈◊〉 and on the other side the Pagans lost and had the worst In this sort the battaile mingled together and on both parts was done great slaughter till such time as they ioyned with the second battiles But these worthie knightes séeing howe their people were ouercome and fled before their enimies and the great destruction that was done vppon them they turned about their horses for to rescue them and the knight of the Sunne procured to come to that place whereas Bramarant was and when that he came thether one of those Gyants that was with him stroke so terrible a blowe at the Princesse Claridiana vpon her helme y â— it made her eies to sparkle with fire and againe if that she had not embraced her selfe about her horse necke she had falne to the ground But this Pagan dyd not aduaunce himselfe of that blow for that béeing séene by the knight of the Sunne who was all kindled in ire with a mightie courage he raised himselfe in his stirops and stroke him such a blowe vppon his left shoulder with so great furie and force that he cloue him downe to the saddle bow in such sorte that hee fell downe to the ground in two péeces with so great wonder vnto all them that sawe that terrible blow that they could not perswade with themselues that he shuld be a humane knight and the royall Princesse who verie well sawe the execution of that blow was verie glad and ioyfull at her heart for that shée had so nigh her so valiant aide and succour and being almost ashamed to sée her selfe so euill intreated before him she tooke her sword in both her hands and stroke such a blow at another of the Gyants who had his sword in the aire all aloft readie for to discharge it vpon her that she cut both his armes a sunder that his hands sword and all fell to the ground and the gyant ranne awaie and put himselfe in the middest of the battaile roaring and houling like a Bull. From that time the worthie Alphebo and the roiall Princesse so behaued themselues in the thickest amongst their enimies that what with killing and wounding all that euer they could reach in such sort that they were greatlie feared of their aduersaries At this time the good Troian was not idle but all to be raied with the bloud of them that he had slaine and at one terrible thrust which he threw at one of the Gyant kings hée passed his sword through his bodie so that hée fell downe dead to the ground But when that Bramarant sawe the great destruction the which these thrée knightes made amongst his people he rowled his eies in his head as though fire would flie out of them and with great wrath he came towardes the knight of the Sun for that it séemed vnto him that he was the knight that stroke the mortallest blowes of all the rest and when hée came vnto him he stroke him such a terrible and ouerthwart blowe vppon his healme that he made the sparkes of fire to flie out a great waie off and with the
force thereof it dazled his eies and did somewhat astonish him and this infernall Pagan had not so soone stroke this blowe but that hée stroke another at the Princesse with so great furie that â—t might well bée saide that next vnto God her inchaunted armour dyd saue her lyfe for that his greate cuâ—ting sworde coulde not cut nor enter into them yet for all that hée brake them and made the peeces to flie a great waie of so that all her one side was vnarmed and lefte naked Then the stout Troyan séeing his companions so euill intreated forcing himselfe with great courage stroke such a blowe at Bramarant vpon his healme that he amazed him in such sort that his sword fell out of his handes and hung by the wrist band the which blowe made this stout and proude Pagan to knowe that his knight was of noble bloud and courage Then the knight of the Sunne when that he sawe his Ladie vnarmed he went vnto her and requested her to depart out of the battaile to auoide the great daunger and perill in the which shée was brought for lacke of her armour And therewith he left Oristedes in contention with Bramarant and went with the Princesse to set her frâ—â— out of the battaile and did so much betwéene them both that quietlie they cléered themselues out of the prease and being frée thereof the royall Princesse with great griefe for to depart from her knight returned vnto the 〈◊〉 whereas she was honourablie receiued and gaue great comfort vnto all those Ladies and Gentlewomen The knight of the Sun returned againe into the battaile whereas he left the valiant Oristedes and found that the stout Pagan had ouerthrowen him vpon his horse crouper all astonied and amazed and as the Pagan would haue stroke him againe the knight of the Sunne put himselfe before him and sayde With mée Bramarant thou viddest begin the battaile therefore conclude it with me before thou makest anie farther contention with this knight And in saying these wordes he stroke him such an ouerthwart blow vpon the helme that it seemed hée had béene all on fire with the burning sparkes and flames of fire that flew out thereof and the force was so great that if hée had not embraced himselfe with his horse necke he had fallen downe to the ground Then this furious Pagan righted vp himselfe againe blaspheming against the heauens and against them that gaue so much power vnto nature for to create a knight of so great force and strength and therewith went against him and began to charge him with such terrible blowes that if it had bene some hard Marble rocke in a short space he had broke it all péeces but yet the good armor of the knight of the Sun was of so great force that it wold haue made resistance against a farre greater strength than his by reason of the finenesse of the bones of those little fishes which were found in the frosen sea as you haue heard before wherewith the armour of the knight of the Sunne as also that of the Pagan were made whereby we may sée and vnderstand how great and strange be the secrets of nature that in so little bones nourished in the water shoulde make more greater and stronger resistance than anie yron or stéele so that these two worthie warriours being in such securitie by reason of their armour did execute the furie oâ— their great strengthes and laide so cruellie the one vppon the other that it was a wonder to beholde them and many nigh vnto them left of their owne fighting for to beholde them meruailing greatlie at their terrible and most cruell battaile Now héere let vs leaue them for a while in this their contention wherein either of them had inough to doe to defend themselues and also the valiant Troyan who was intangled with a stout Gyant in battaile and had great care for to cléere himselfe from him and let vs tel of that inclite and generous knight Rosicleer that had the charge of the second battaile who when he sawe the other battaile so intangled with great desire that he had to sée himself amongst his enimies he and his two friends the king Sacridoro and the Tartarian Zoilo did put themselues before their camp and setting spurres vnto their horses went against them that came in the second battaile who likewise did mooue themselues to receiue them There came in their fore front the Prince Meridian and the stout and strong Pagan Brandimardo and with them a king of the Indias called Albiro a young knight and verie proude these thrée came against Rosicleer and his companions and in the middest betwéene the two battailes they made their encounter in this sort Rosicleer and Brandimardo made their encounter the one against the other and shéeuered their speares in péeces passing along without receiuing anie harme but Brandimardo being greatlie amazed at the strength of his aduersarie sayd within himselfe Out of all doubt this is hée that did combat with Bramarant in the wildernesse of Grecia or else it is he that slew the gran Campion his Father for that I canâ—ot beléeue that in anie other knight shoulde be so great force and strength The like dyd Rosicleer thinke of Brandimardo whose encounter seemed to be equall vnto those of the knight of the Sunne and sayde within himselfe Oh that God were so pleased that this valiant Pagan were a Christian for surelie it shuld grieue me verie much that such a knight should perish Then the strong king Sacridoro and the Prince Meridian made their encounters in such sort that their speares were shéeuered all to peeces but the king declined so farre backe that his head touched his horse crouper and he staied himselfe so stronglie that hée fell not but passed along being greatlie amazed at the great agiliâ—ie of his enimie y â— Prince who in the same incounter lost one of his stirops and therewith put himselfe into the battaile hauing his aduersarie in great estimation but hée that had the best lucke in these their encounters was the valyant Tartarian who meeting this proude 〈◊〉 strikking him in the middest of the breast he thrust his Speare through his bodie that it appeared at his backe and ouerthrew him dead to the ground With that encounter hée likewise had fallen to the ground if there he had not embraced himselfe with his horse necke When that these encountâ—rs were finished the two battailes ioyned together and the noise was so great which they made at the breaking of their Speares that the mountaines and hilles seemed to shake therewith and the great slaughter that was on both partes was meruailous great But when that Rosicleer with that gallant courage as he was wont to haue did put himselfe in the middest of the gard of Meridian who as you haue heard to be twelue strong Gyantes he did that which neuer before time of auncient people was the lyke heard of hée assaulted them in such sorte that one of them
hee cut off his right arme wherewith he did gouerne his great and mightie cutting sword so that he was 〈◊〉 and another he cloue his heart asunder with a thrust hee threw at him he had not at that time 〈◊〉 pulled out his sword from the gyants bodie when that two of those which remained with their great and freelie hatchets gaue eyther 〈…〉 a blowe the one after the other vppon his rich and precious healme but it was forged by that wise Aâ—temidoâ—â—â— by his Maâ—â—icall art so that it might well be sayde that it saued his lyâ—e for that thei◠〈…〉 hatchets could not enter anie more unto it than if they had bâ—â—e â—ade of 〈…〉 yet for all that the blowes were exceeding strong 〈…〉 that it 〈…〉 him of his vnderstanding and 〈…〉 to fall forwardes vppon hs saddle bâ—we and his horse carried him about the field but all fell out for the best for that the Gyants hauing no more care to garde the person of the Prince for that he had put himselfe in the thickest amongst his enimies hée and Brandimardo making such destruction and slaughter amongest them that whereas they went they left all the ground full of dead bodies But when Rosicleer came againe vnto himselfe and sawe that the Gyants were gone hée put himselfe into the thickest of them that were next him with greate furie destroying and ouerthrowing all that was in the waie so that it was an vnhappie daie for him that once proued his sword Not long after when that the third battaile sawe the battailes so intangled they marched on a pace for to ioyâ—e together and for that there might be space inough for 〈◊〉 one to haue his fill of fighting marched forwardes straight waies the fourth and fift battaile for that there were such knights amongst them whose stomacks were so great that they could not refraine themselues oneâ—minute of an houre in séeing that others were executing their furies and they to be idle so that in a verie short space there were so many dead bodies in the field thatâ— the liuing could not passe but vpon them and whereas so many people were ioyned together it could not bée but some encounters must bée made for toâ—bée noted aboue the rest As that worthie king Florion and the valiant Prince his sonne made their encounters against the king Orlan and the king Triderio whose encounters were such that the Prince ouerthrew the first dead to the ground and although hée was somewhat astonyed at that encounter yet hee kept his saddle and passed forwards on and the king Florion ouerthrew Triderio from his Elephant whereon hée was mounted in such sorte that with great griefe he could not arise againe Likewise the valiant and worthie Prince Claueryndo with one of those Gyants that came with the Prince of Cambray did make their encounters the one against the other in such sort that the Prince laide his aduersarie alongâ—in the fâ—eld dead and the stout king Liâ—eo thrust the Prince of Cambray ouer the crouper of his horse Also the king Oliuerio and theâ—Princes Bargandel and Liriamandro Don Siluerio and the king Alamades made their encounters against the king Balardo and his companions and there had like to haue beene a meruailous misfortune for that Lyriamandro and the furious king Balardo fell both of them to the grounde and in great perill before they coulde recouer themselues againe Bargandel made his encounter with one of those kinges of the Indias with so great furie that the point of his Speare appeared at his backe Don Siluerio and the king dyd ouerthrow other two but vnhappie were they that made their encounters with the fiue Gyants that came with the king Balardo for that they were all ouerthrowen dead to the ground sauing the king Alamades who by reason of his good armour could not receiue anie hurt yet for all that he laie vpon the ground more than an houre cleane from himself before he could come againe to his remembrance So in conclusion of these encounters these worthie knights dyd put themselues into the battaile at whose entrie the slaughter was so great that the little brookes were made mightie riuers with the abundance of bloud that was there shed for to declare perticularlie the mightie déeds wonderfull acts done by Rosicleer it wer requisite to haue an hundreth thousand eies for to behold them Likewise the worthines done by all that valiant companie as the Tartarian Zoylo the king Sacridoro Brandizel and Clauerindo his very friends with all the rest of that gallant companie as the Hystorie hath shewed vnto you On the other part goeth those furious Pagans Meridian and Brandimardo the king Balardo and the other mishapen Gyants all to be raâ—ed with bloud and killing and destroying all that commeth before them At this time the good Emperour Trebatio could no longer abide nor suffer seeing his people in so great trauaile but commanded incontinentlie to sound a great and infinite number of Trumpettes and other instruments of warre and made Proclamation that none should remaine behind but all to enter into the battaile And therewith they marched forwardes with so great a noise that the earth seemed to open therewith Then the Emperour Alycandro séeing that who was in a readinesse would not be the last but straight wayes marched forwardes with all the remainder of the knights and sure it was a thing of great compassion and pittie for to beholde so infinite a number of people slaine when that these two battailes ioyned together for that the Horses of Darius Cirus Alexander being ioyned all together were not so many as were there at that present The worthie and renowmed Emperour Trebatio made his encounter with the king Orilardo who was a mightie Pagan and was almost so bigge of his bodie as a Gyant but this good Emperour made his incounter in such sorte that he broke his gall within his bodie and thâ—ust him euer his horse crouper to the ground Likewise all other knights of fame that were in the companie made worthie incounters After which being done they put themselues in a bushment together round about their good Captaine put themselues into the campe killing aâ—d ouerâ—â—rowing those Pagans all that euer came beforâ— them On the other part gâ—eth the Emperour Alycandre compassed about with those mightie gyants and other kiâ—gs and knights of estimation that it was a lamentable tâ—ing to beholde the great deâ—truction that they made amâ—â—gst their enimies for that there was on both parts kniâ—hts of great valour estimation The battaile was in â—allance although there were of the Pagans three times so many as were of the Christians All this while we haue forgotten those two stout warriours the knight of the Sunne and Bramarant for to complie with other worthie and valiant knights But you shal vnderstand that they câ—ntinued alwaies in their cruell battaile and dyd no other thing but charge the one the other with their terrible blowes out of
all order and with so great furie that if they had béene two Rockes they hadde broke them all to péeces and the anger and courage of eyther of them was so great because they could haue no victorie that they left one another and put themselues into the battaile whereas they slew and ouerthrew to the ground and couered the fields with dead bodies as the Mower with his Sith couereth the sorrowes with corne The knight of the Sunne put himselfe amongst those monstrous Gyants of the Orientall Indias and made so great slaughter amongest them that those which were liuing although they were fierce and rough people did flie before him he put himselfe with so great furie amongst them that the stout Oristedes remâ—ined behinde him and could not followe but yet with the great desire that he had to kéepe him companie hée did strange exploits and of great wonder Then the knight of the Sunne looking backe and seeing him all alone did tarrie his comming making a breade waie in euerie place whereas hee went at which time came forth against him a rough and 〈…〉 named Othibeâ—â— and was Lord ouer the Iland of 〈◊〉 his armour was edged round about with golde and precious stones of great price who stroke so strong a 〈◊〉 at the knight of the Sunne vppon his helme that he somewhat aâ—â—â—med him But this proude Pagan departed aduancing himselfe thereof but was rewarded for his boldnesse with his head clouen asunder to his breast so that he fell downe dead to the ground yet ther lacked not another more hardie than wise that thought to make reuengement for the same There was a king called Armelion who hauing a great confidence in his strength and in the excellencie of his armour wherewith hee was armed and was verie good went towards him and stroke him a mightie blowe vpon one of his shoulders but he that had receiued so many of that furious Bramarant receiued that of him as nothing but in paiment of his great follie the sonne of Trebatio stroke him such another vppon his head that both helme and skull he stroke into his braines the which being done he staied not but procéeded forwards on not finding anie that did disturbe him in his waie and alwaies he had an eie vnto such as séemed vnto him to bée the principall of his enimies so it chanced he discouered two mightie great and deformed Gyants that were both together with mightie mases in their handes and made great slaughter and destruction vpon the Gréekes these Gyantes were two brethren and Lords ouer an Iland in the Indian sea The one was called Zario and the other Drago and in all the whole hoast was not to bée found two Gyants more mightier and fuller of pride than they were But as this gallant louer of the royall Empresse Claridiana hadde séene them without anie consideration that they were two and hée all aloneâ— hée tooke a Speare from a Pagan that was next him and seâ— spurres to his good horse Cornerino and with so great fuâ—ie that hée séemed a whirle winde he went towards those Gyants who were séene aboue all the rest more than two â—ubites and in sight of all the people he encountered witâ— one of them in the middest of the breast in such sort that â—â—though his armour was twelue plates thick yet did he thrâ—st his Speare a good yard through his bodie that the sharpe point of his Speare appeared at his backe and this great Gyant fell downe dead to the ground and made so great noise as though a tower had fallen downe and at such time as this good knight dyd passe alongst in his course the other Gyant that did abide his comming with his yroâ— mase in his hand all alofte hee discharged such a right downe blowe at him that if hee had chaunced to fasten the same it had not gone well with him but the great furie and swiftnesse of his horse Cornerino was such that before hée coulde discharge the same hée was passed by with his Maister so that the blowe fell downe to the ground and entred into the earth thrée spans and as yet hée had not lift vp his mase when that the knight of the Sunne tourned about his horse with great lightnesse and ioyning himselfe with the Gyant hée cast a thrust at him with the point of his sword in the middest of his bellâ—e and put so great force and strength ther vnto that without anie staying it passed through his double and thicke armour and entered into his guts vp to the hard hiltes and pulling his sworde out his guttes followed after And therwithall the Gyant with an infernall furie stroke such a terrible blowe with his mace on his backe that hée hadde ouerthrowen him to the ground if that he had not embraced himselfe with his horse necke But so soone as this blowe was giuen the mightie Gyant fell downe dead to the earth and the knight of the Sunne doing theâ—e and many other great meruailes passed forwardes on discoueringâ—through all the whole battaile beholding the mightie deedes greate meruailes and highe knighthood which was done by the famous knightes on his part vnto whome it seemed that they alone were a sheelde and defence vnto all his people for without them they had beene all ouercome and dispearsed for that in comparison there were a great number more on the paâ—t of the Pagans than there was on theirs Hee lykewise looked about for Rosicleer and sawe where hee was all alone so berayed and bathed in bloud that scarce hée could bee knowen from another knight but onelie by the incredible deedes which he did and seeing him in that sorte all alone without anie of his confortes that could come vnto him for to succour him hee fell greatlie in loue with him and his estimation and praied vnto God with all his heart to saue and defend him from all perill and daunger Likewise hee sawe in another place the good Emperour his father in the middest betwixt the two Spanish knights who went all three together with equall courage and magnanimitie and made exceeding great slaughter amongst the Pagans At this time the good knight would not staie anie longer to beholde them but thrust himselfe into the middest of the battaile and went from one place vnto another ayding and helping there whereas hee sawe was the greatest perill At this time the daie was wel spent for it was past noone and the knight of the Sun â—éeling the wether to be hot as he that had trauailed more than the rest for to refresh himselfe and to take some aire as also to sée in what estate the battaile was went out of the camp stood vnder a little wood side that was there hard by the Campe and alighted from his horse and pulled off his helme and dyd from that place beholde all that passed and sawe that on euerie side all the whole fields was full of people and by reason of the greate multitude he could not knowe those
taking the bâ—gâ—est lance that hée could find hee went towards them and stroke the good Emperour on the one side vnbewares and thrust him cleane out of his Saddle The lyke hee dyd vnto the two bretheren Don Clarus and Aâ—culus Then the other Princes when they sawe the Emperour vnhorsed they came forthwith for to succour and helpe him but their comming had lyke to haue cost them deare for that at two blowes which hee stroke with his sworde he astonyed and left without remembrance the two Princes Bargandel and Lyriamandrâ—o and within a little while after he ouerthrew to the ground Don Siluerio and the two Princes Rodamarte and Rodofeo Flamides and Floâ—inaldus and thinking that they were dead this diuellish and outragious Pagan proceeded farther on till hee came whereas Rosicleer and Brandimardo were combatting together and hée seeing their battaile so intangled and knowing him for certaintie to bée the same which slew the gran Compion his Father beeing full of mortall courage as sparkes of fire should flie out at his eies he went vnto him and stroke him an ouerthwart blowe with both his hands vpon his helme which was of so great force and strength that the bloud gushed out at his eares and nose and depriued him of his remembrance so that his horse carried him a while about the field Then the stout Brandimardo who was more vertuous than he saw the great villanie the which Bramarant had done with a wrathfull courage he went against him and sayd Oh thou vncurteous villaine come to the battaile with me for that it shal cost thée full déere this shame and discurtesie which thou hast shewed vnto me And therewith hée stroke him such an ouerthwart blow vpon the healme that with the sparkes of fire that flew out thereof he burned all the haire vpon his browes and eie lids Then Barmarant who alwaies did beare him ill will since the time that hée did combat against him and Meridian in the wildernesse of Grecia returned a replie against him with so great furie that the noise of their new begun battell betwixt them was heard throughout all the whole campe but their combat indured not long for that Rosicleer came straight againe vnto himselfe and remembring what had passed he went vnto Brandimardo and gaue him great thankes for that which he had done for him and requested him to let him to haue the battaile against Bramarant who vnderstanding what Rosicleer had sayd with great pride sayd Come both of you together against me for if there were ten such as you are I would not esteeme you in anie thing Well said Brandimardo for that I will not doe thée so much honour I will leaue the battaile for that thy selfe alone shall conclude it with this knight who I am perswaded is such a one that will abase and breake the heart of this thy great pride And in saying these wordes â—he withdrew himselfe a backe straight waies began Rosicleer for to combat with Bramarant and at two blowes that he stroke at him doubling one after another did intreate him in such sort that he knew not whether he was in heauen or on the earth so that betwixt them there began a braue battaile in such sort that Bramarant did well vnderstand that he had inough to doe to cléere himselfe from the furious blowes of Rosicleer alone without the help of the companion that he esteemed vnto to him and Meridian and Brandimanrdo who stoode and did dyd beholde the 〈…〉 not a little reioyce to 〈◊〉 how much that alone knight did 〈◊〉 the great courage and pride of Bramarant and with the great contentment that they tâ—â—ke to beholde them in the battaile they staid and withdrew themselues a while from fighting At this time all those knights that were ouerthrowen by that monster found themselues in a great perplâ—â—itie for that much people dyd ouercharge them in such sorte that they could not mount themselues againe on horsebacke but in especiall the Emperour Trebatio and the two brethren Don Claâ—os and Arcalus who were all aâ—oote together making their defence with their swordes in their handes killing slaying so many that round about them laie a great number of dead bodies But the king of Gandaros did trouble them verie much with two great ill fauoured and deformed Gyantes that he had in his companie with other knights who put them in great perill Not farre from that place were these Princes Bargandel and Lyriamandro Rodomarte and Rodofeo Hamides and Hormaldus all together whereas they did great wonders but by reason that they were a foote and charged with much people they passed great trouble The like meruailes did those two worthie Princes Brandizel and Clauerindo who were compassed about with more than twentie Gyants of the Orientall Ilands But he that was in greatest perplexitie more than all the rest was the Troyan Oristedes for that he was all alone and a foote and was closed in with thrée kings of the Indians and with and infinite number of other people in such sorte that by no meanes he could get out from amongst them except he should flie into the aire But yet this good knight in 〈◊〉 daie did make manifest the noble and valiant stocke from whence hée dyd descend for that hee slew a great number and made his partie good defending himselfe till such timâ— as succour did come vnto him but yet they y â— did best cléere themselues was the Tartarian Zoylo and the king Sacridoro for that the fiue sonnes of the mightie Torcato and the stout Rogelio all together chanced to passe that waie wheras they were with the high knighthood which they vsed they mounted againe vppon their horses and ioyned with the king Oliuerio and his knights so that they all together put themselues into the thickest of the campe whereas they did great wonders Now let vs leaue them in this sort in the battaile dooing of valiant and worthie déedes on euerie sideâ— and although the common people and souldiours on the part of the Pagans were without number yet those on the part of the Christians were farre better and better armed and dyd great slaughter vpon their enimies and let vs tell of that dreadfull Organte who was in an ambushment in a woode with his people When the Emperour Alycandro sawe that the daye passed awaie and that it was then time to put in execution that which hee had dâ—termined for that the battaile was at that time in a balâ—ance he sent out of hande a messenger vnto him for to issuâ— forth So when that Organte had receiued the commandement of his Lord lyke as the hungrie Lyon runneth out oâ— the thicke woods for to seeke his praie in the plaine amongst the Cattell euen so he with all his people went out oâ— the ambushment and with as greate expedition as might bée thâ—y went to put themselues into the battell but it so fell out before they came thether that there happened â—nother thing cleane
for to satisfie their furious appetite and there was not 〈◊〉 one in all the whole armie that was in perfect securitie from their furious and bloudie handes Within a while the knight of the Sunne came into the place whereas was the good Emperour his Father a foote and so weary that almost he could not lyft vp his arme to his head hée and the two Spanish knightes although they had done greate and meruailous 〈◊〉 and incredible wonders yet were they at the point to haue béen slaine for that they were charged and assaulted by the king of the Gandaros and with two mightie great and deformed Gyants with an infinite number of other people who brought them into a meruailous perplexitie But quicklie they were rescued and their enimies deceiued of their praiâ— for when the knight of the Sunne knew him to bée his Father with a new force more than of a knight hée strâ—ke one of these Gyantes such a blowe vnder the gorge of â—is healme that hée cut his head cleanâ— from his bodie The which béeing done with great lyghtnesse hée turned himselfe about and with both his handes hée stroke such an ouerthwart at the other vpon his wast that almost 〈◊〉 vnto his saddle bowe hée parted him in two péeces and the royall Princesse stroke such another blowe vppon the healme of the king of the Gandaros that with the increâ—ible force thereof shée cloue his head quite downe vnto hâ—s téeth and ouerthrew him dead at his féete The bloud waxed colde within their bodies and theyr members shaked of all them that did sée these mortall and deformed blowes in especiall those Pagans that were ther nigh at hande who had compassed about the Emperour and the other two Princes so that it was not néedfull of anie other occasion for to cause them to depart thence for that they gaue them such entertainment that they all fledde awaie and put themselues into the battaile and thought not themselues in anie securitie wheresoeuer they shoulde become And although the good Emperour Trebatio had time and space inough for to mount vppon his horse yet hee was so wearie that he had no force for to doe it Likewise the two Spanish knightes were readie for to lie downe with wearinesse The which beeing séene and perceiued by that good Knight with a trice he alighted from his horse 〈◊〉 and tooke the Emperour his Father in his armes and with his owne strength he put him into the saddle and gaue vnto the two bretheren other two horses and with his owne handes he mounted them The which béeing done in spite of all those that were against them hée tooke vnto himselfe the horse of the king of Gandaros which was both strong and swift and with great lightnesse he leaped into the saddle and passed forwardes on leauing the Emperour Trebatio no lesse amazed than ioyfull and content to see the wonderfull déâ—des of his sonne who with new force and strength the which hee recouered with that sodaine ioy and pleasure pressed forwardes into the battaile being in the middest betwixt the two Spanish knightes and dyd such 〈◊〉 acts that it seemed he had but as then entered into the battaile Then the knight of the Sunne came vnto the place with the Princesse Claridiana whereas they found on foote the princes Bargandel and Lyriamandro Rodomarte Rodoâ—eo Flâ—â—ndes and Florinaldus by whose comming they were quicklie set at libertie and had space for to mount them selues on horsback the which being done he did the like vnto the Tartarian Zoilo the king Sacridoro neuer staied til he 〈◊〉 whereas the stout Oristedes was which was a strange thing to beholde to sée the great number of dead bodies at his féete round about him but by reason that hée was ouerpressed with so many against him hée was verie wearie and almost out of breath which being perceiued by the knight of the Sunne with a great good will he did succour him slaying and ouerthrowing to the ground all those that he found against him and of the thrée kings of the Indias the royall Princesse ouerthrew two of them dead to the ground and the third ranne awaie for if he had tarried his golden crowne the which he had on his head would little haue auailed him Then the good Troyan being verie glad of that aduantaged succour tooke vnto him a verie good horse and mounting vpon him they all together thrust themselues into the battaile and neuer staied till they came whereas the two Princes Brandizel and Claueryndo who were compassed round about with those gyantine knights but quicklie they were deliuered out of their hands and â—â—â—unted vpon other horses At this time were ioyned together the Emperour Trebatio with all the rest of the worthie and valiant knights with the knight of the Sunne and the royall Princesse Claridiana and all was néedfull for that the Emperour Alycandro accompanied with those Gyants his gard and with the most principallest kings of their hoast came vnto that place of the camp making such destruction and slaughter that they alone had béene sufficient to haue got the whole victorie of the field But being discouered by this generous companie they all together moued towardes them whose encounter was a thing worthie to haue bene séene for that the knight of the Sunne the royall Princesse with the mightie Emperour Trebatio Don Claros and Arcalus the two princes Brandizel and Claueryndo the king Florion and the king Sacridoro with the Tartarian Zoilo All the together made their encounter against the ten Gyants of the Gard of the Emperour and that which séemed not to be beléeued and impossible to bée executed amongest all them that were in the whole armie fell out nâ—we deane vnto the contrarie for that euerie one of these worthie Princes missed not but ouerthrew his aduersarie to the earth either starke dead or sore wounded and although some of them of the Emperour Trebatios part were vnhorsed yet quicklie and with a trice they were mounted againe And of other twelue kings that were mightie and stout and of great valour that came in companie with the Emperour Alycandro there remained but two of them but all the rest were ouerthrowen and slaine by Baâ—gandel and Lyriamandro Rodomarte and Rodofeo Flamides and Florinaldus the sonnes of the gran Torcato and the stout Rogelio When these Pagan kings were slaine and ouercome although the number of Pagans were infinit yet they beganne to loose ground for that they had no other Captaines for to gouerne them but onelie that mightie Pagan Bramarant who was deteined in battaile with Rosicleer and the two worthie knights Meridian and Brandimardo if there had bâ—ne many in the campe lyke vnto them before the Pagans would haue yeelded anie ground there had bene greater destruction and bloud shed more than there was but by reason that they were but two onelie they were not sufficient for to gouerne and rule them although they did make so greate slaughter that they
that she remained without all hope or remedie And prayed vnto her gods and fortune not to appease the torment but to be so contrarie vnto their iourney that they might retourne againe by the force thereof into Grecia either a liue or dead for that she thought in her heart that there was no death could be more crueller vnto her then to retourne into her owne countrie whereas she should lose all hope euer for to sée the knight of the Sunne In this sort vttering great and profound sighes which procéeded from the bottome of her heart she sayd as followeth Oh my soule depart and leaue this my sorowfull and afflicted bodie séeing that my fortune and cruel destinie wil that I shal leaue the land whereas the knight of the Sunne doth remaine Oh you wyndes and celestiall mouinges that doth carrie the shippes vpon the Seas here and there in all places carrie vs now into some parte whereas wée may be taken prisoners by some Grecian and carryed before the Emperour Trebatio for that it shall be vnto mée more comfortable to be prisoner and 〈◊〉 in his pallas then to be Quéene in the gran Scithia or Empresse in Tartâ—ria Oh you blouddie waues â—ossed vp and downe by the furiâ—â—s wyndes and forced into riuers show your selues so fauorable vnto mée that when by this torment and storme we shal be drowned you would dead as I shal be left carrie me vnto some part of Grecia for that possible the knight of the Sunne hearing of my death will not be so cruell but that he will giue sepulture vnto this my vnhappie bodie and at times remember mée and be sorrowfull for this my vntimely and cruell death Ah when that this shall lacke in him yet shall my sorrowfull bones take comfort in that they shall remaine in so glorious and happie a land In vttering of these and manie other things of great griefe did this sorrowfull princesse nauigate and with so great trouble of minde that I doe verelie beleeue if the knight of the Sunne had heard them he would haue hadde great compassion on her Likewise it was of no lesse sorow griefe to sée the demeanour of the Emperour Alicandro for that the day before he saw himselfe in the estate to bée lord ouer all the whole world and at this present for to be a land in his owne countrie he would haue bene content to haue had the gouernement and to be lorde of a poore castell an estate vnlooked for they that doe thinke to sléepe in great securitie whome fortune hath put in the highest part of her mouable and inconstant whéele they may well behold this Emperour for that possible he may be vnto theÌ„ a greater securitie and cause them to loose the condicion of hope that alwayes they had in her for that alwaies when that she dothe once beginne to frowne and to tourne her back vnto any she is not content to touch them with a little aduersitie but will so follow them as their fall shal be equal vnto their first triumph of exalting as by experience you shall sée in this Emperour who was not content to bring him into this estate of perplexitie but straight waies did ordaine a greater and crueller conclusion greatly to be considered of for that the next day in the morning at such time as the Sunne did arise the furious force of the windes and seas did carrie their ship into the port of any land with so great extremitie that it brake all to péeces and they with great trauaile escaped being all wet out of comfort and in a place vnknowen and for that you shal be certified of the comfort and ease that they found there You shall vnderstand that this was called the strong Ilande the most famous in all the Tirreno Sea it is called strong for that it is all compassed round about with the Sea on the parts towards the sea high and mightie Rockes and hath no entring into it but onely one part in the which the Emperor Alicandro and his companie were driuen by force of that great tempest at the entrie of the same sort was two great high and mightie towers and of great strength and at the foote of them into the Iland a great and large plaine in the which was manie gallant peaceable and freshe fountaines that dyd inuite all them that passed by to take their ease and repast and beyond the same plaine there was a beautifull mountaine vppon the which was edified a verie faire castell and strong compassed round about with a high wall and watch towers with a 〈◊〉 very broade déepe vpon the which was a drawen bridge of timber and before the same a gallant little plaine in maner of court The highest part of the tower was full of windowes and galleries some towards the Sea and others towards the entrie of the saide Castell so that for strength and beautie in all the whole Sea was not an Iland to be found equall vnto the same but onely that of Lindaraza the which was edified and made by arte of inchantment The Lord of this Iland was a Gyant called Roboan who by liniall dissent doth procéede from Nemroth he that built the high and statelie tower of Babel and from his time to that daye hath bene maintained and gouerned by that linage as appeared by olde and ancient writings which they had amongst them This Roboan was verie bigge of bodie and of strength more thâ—n anie other Gyant and he hadde foure sonnes all young men the most stoutest and grymmest that was to be found amongst all the Ilands of the Sea So that by the 〈◊〉 of them as also 〈◊〉 the great strength of the Ilande Roboan 〈…〉 all the whole world if they coem against him which was the occasion that he dyd great harmâ— and robberies at the Sea And dyd maintaine in his Iland an ill custome which was that euerie time at the wayne of the Moone he did sacrifice two damsells the most fairest that could be found and when that the Moone did increase he dyd sacrifice two knights the which they dyd by the encreasing of their great sinnes whereby his aâ—ncestours did fall into a great and abhominable Idolatrie to honour and worship the Moone without knowing any other God or Lord but onely her saying that with her brightnesse she dyd illuminate the earth and cause it to engender Gyants and that she waâ— the occasion that the earth dyd bring forth all maner of fruites and hearbes for the which occasion they hadde her for their Goddesse and Mother Also they sayd that when the Moone was in the waine she dyd hide her brightnesse for that she was angrie with men for which cause they did sacrifice vnto her two damsels because with their bloud as they saide her anger was appeased And at such time as she did beginne to increase they did sacrifice vnto her two knights in giuing to vnderstand that they did acknowledge her for their Goddesse
as remained aliue which was but the third parte of those which came from the gran Tartaria fled and ranne awaie towards the sea coast whereas they embarked themselues so that there remained but certaine kings and nobles such as were knowen and were prisoners vnto the Gréekes At which time the Emperour Trebatio with all his nobles hauing a great good will to celebrate with triumph the great and ioyfull victorie which God had giuen them were greatlie disturbed by the absence of the knight of the Sunne for without him it seemed that they could not reioyce nor take anie ioy or pleasure for which occasion at that instant departed many knights from the Court in the demaund and seeking of him amongest whom Rosideer was one who departed al alone from Constantinople and in such sorte that he was not knowen neither would he carrie anie bodie with him for that hee had great desire for to méete with Bramarant and to conclude with him the battaile before that anie knight be present for to separate or part them and comming vnto the sea side whereas he could not heare anie newes of him he straight waies there embarked himselfe into a ship whereas we wil leaue him and all the rest in Constantinople for to tell you of the knight of the Sunne who being verie desirous for to ouertake the Emperour Alycandâ—o and the Princesse Lyndabrides naâ—â—gating by Sea was lykewise the same night constrained with the torment that tooke the Emperour for to loose his waie But whether it was by the will of God it should so fall out for that the end thereof was verie good or else by the arte of the wise Lyâ—gandeo or else by good fortune that gouerned his shippe in such sorte the worthie knight of the Sunne was throwen by force of the sayde storme and tempest into the porte of the strong Ilande the which béeing perceiued and knowen by the Mariners they would straight wayes haue departed from thence hauing that quiet pâ—rte farre more perillous than to bée at the Sea with that great storme and tempest whose great feare béeing manifest vnto the Knight of the Sunne hee was verie desirous to knowe the occasion thereof and they declared the cause verie much extolling the force and strength of Roboan and of his sonnes as also of the great crueltie that was vsed there with such knights and damsells as they did take And although the knight of the Sun would first haue accomplished his voyage in following of the Emperour Alycandro and haue left that enterprise vntill some other time yet for all that séeing that it woulde lyttle profite for to returne vnto the Sea by reason that the waues were greatlie increased with the force of the storme hée determined with himselfe to go a land and in the meane time till it pleased God to appease the rage of the weather he would put in practise to sée if hée could doe anie thing against those people for to cause them to breake that euill and diuellish custome and as hée was determined within himselfe hée put it in vre but the marriners would not enter into the Port nor boord their ship aland with a good will but he did so threaten them that he made them by force to doe all that he commanded When that hée was a land and had not well mounted vpon his horse which was that which hée wonne from the king of the Gandaros in the battaile there came forth against him ten knightes on horsebacke and as many on foote all armed with their hatchets of armes in their hands and bad him to yéeld to them as prisoner and some of them approched to laie hands on his horse bridle But this good knight answered not one worde vnto these villanous people but hauing his Speare in his hande stroke one of them such a blowe therewith that his strong armour dyd not profite him but hée ouerthrew him backwardes starke dead vnto the ground and as one that as then was not to learne to shedde the bloud of such vnhappie wretches in a short time hée made such slaughter amongest them that there escaped no more aliue but thrée of them who fledde and ranne with all hast possible vnto the Castle which was vppon the little mountaine whereas were the two oldest bretheren Langereon and Andricardo with Roboan their Father for that after that they had carried prisoner vnto the Castell the Emperour Alycandro and his companie vntill that time they had not descended vnto their Towers whereas they were wont to bée continuallie which was the occasion that the knight of the Sunne was not assaulted but by their Knightes and footmen who remayned belowe in the Towers for to kéepe and defend them for that all the rest were gone into the Castell with their riche praie But when the knight of the Sunne sawe himselfe cléere of all those that came forth against him and that there came no more people out of the Towers hee imagined within himselfe that the Gyantes shoulde bée in that highe Castle which hée sawe before him somewhat a farre off which caused him to take the waie thetherwardes and it seemed vnto him to bee one of the most fayrest and strongest that euer before hee had séene and as yet hée was not come vnto the plaine that was before the entrie which was in manner of a Court when that hee sawe come forth of the Castle by a false doore one of the Gyantes all armed with thicke plates of stéele and mounted vppon a mightie great and strong horse with a great cutting hatchet of Steele in his handes who seemed vnto the knight of the Sunne to bée one of the best furnished and well made and proportioned Gyants that euer hee saw in all his lyfe And this was Langereon the eldest and most valyantest of all the foure brethren who béeing aduertised by one of them that ranne awaie of the great slaughter and destruction that that alone knight had made amongst his people he issued out to séeke him for to take reuengement of the same and at such time as the knight of the Sunne came into the plaine ground by the Castell the Gyant approched nigh vnto him and lyfte vp the beauer of his healme But when hée sawe him of so bigge and gallant proportion and considered the newes which his men had declared vnto him hée helde him straight wayes in reputation and thought him to bée a knight of a most singular and valyant courage but making no account of him he said By thy vnaduised ariuall and comming hether Sir Knight I doe vnderstand that thou knowest not who is Lord of this Iland neither the vse and custome that is héere maintained for if thou haddest béene aduertised thereof then wouldest thou not haue come hether to séeke him whom thou hast so much grieued and angered in the slaying of his knightes With as little feare and gallant semblaunce as hée spake the knight of the Sunne aunswered him and sayd Gyant I doe verie well
know that this is the strong Iland and how that Roboan is Lord of the same who ioyntlie with his sonnes doth maintaine so euill and abhominable a custome that whatsoeuer good knight hée bée he ought for to aduenture his lyfe for to cause the same to be broken as well in the great Idolatrie vsed in the worshipping for God his creatures as also in the great crueltie vsed agaynst all knightes and damsells so that I am come hether and haue so great hope and confidence in the diuine iustice to doe so much that you shall not perseuer with this great violence and if that thou art Roboan or anie of his sonnes determine and put order to amend thy life or else come presentlie with me to battaile Then Langereon with great laughter and disdaine said Of truth Sir Knight thy great boldnesse and courage is the greatest that euer I haue heard or seene that thou hast so valiant a heart for to approch and giue attempt in that which all the whole world is not sufficient but because thou shalt sée and vnderstand that thy attempt is more of follie than of anie valiant courage or feare doe now what thou canst against me for that I am one of the sonnes of Roboan whom thou hast named And in saying these words this worthie and valiant youth did lift vp his great trencheant and stéelie hatchet and therewith went towardes the knight of the Sunne with so terrible and dreadfull semblance that it was sufficient to put great feare in anie good Knight But vnto him who had béene accustomed vnto such lyke enterprises it was not onelie without feare and dreade but also a Spâ—are which hée had in his hand and taken from one of those knightes which hée stew hée threw vnto the ground and drew out his sword and went towardes Langereon who was greatlie amazed at that which hée did so that these two the one against the other charged each his aduersarie with such terrible blowes vpon their healmes that with the great force thereof they caused perâ—orce their horses to stoope downe to the ground and by reason that the healme of the Gyant was not of so fine mettall as it should haue béene it was clouen by the knight of the Sunne in such sorte that hée made a lyttle wounde in his scull out of the which procéeded great abundaunce of bloud that fell in his eyes and about his face the which did disturbe him verie much in this battaile and this Langereon meruailed exceedinglie at that terrible blowe which he had receiued which was the mightiest that euer in all his life he had felt and being verie desirous â—â—raight wayes and out of hand to bée reuenged of the same for that in continuing in battaile it might fall out vnto him verie perillous and daungerous hee flourished with his stéelie hatchet about his head and with it in both his handes hée stroke so strong a blowe at the knight of the Sunne ouerthwart vppon his conâ—â—aled healme that he thought verilie a whole Tower had fallen vpon him it so amazed and astonied him and with a trice hee redoubled another blowe with no lesse force and strength with the which the knight of the Sunne had passed great daunger if that he had stroke it full and right but with the force and strength that hée put in striking of the first blowe the bloud of the wound in his hâ—ad burst out a new and fell with greate abundaunce downe about his eyes in such sorte that whereas hée thought to haue stroken the worthie and valyant knight of the Sunne hée was deceiued and stroke his horse hard by the poâ—â—ell of the saddle that without anie staying hee cut him cleane asunder in the middest so that he parted him in two péeces and hee straight wayes fell downe dead vnto the grounde whereby hée was constrayned to ouerthrowe his Maister but this valiant knight was not so soone fallen but he arose vp againe on his féete and meruailed greatlie at the mightie force of the Gyant and seeing himselfe so intreated he sayde within himselfe that it did well appeare that there was not present his Ladie and Mistres the Princesse Claridiana for that one alone knight had brought him vnto that extremitie And in saying these wordes he did abide the comming of Langareon who approched with his hatchet aboue his head for to strike him another terrible blowe and at such time as he would haue discharged the same he stepped on the one side with so great dexteritie that the blowe fell downe to the ground and as the Gyant by reason of the force wherewith it was stroke dyd bowe his bodie and armes after the same the Knight of the Sunne laide holde on the gorget of his healme with so greate strength that hee brake the lacings and buckles thereof and pulled it from his head and ouerthrew him from his horse to the ground and before that hée could arise hee stroke him with his healme vppon his vnarmed head that hée astonied him and layde him a long vpon the earth and not willing to doe him anie farther euill hée left him and tooke his hatchet and mounted vpon his horse the which was both bigge and verie swift And looking towardes the Castle to see if another did come forth hée chaunced to cast his eyes vp vnto the battlements therof whereas hee discouered the persons of the Emperour Alycanidro and the fayre Princesse Lyndabrides and some of her Ladies and Gentlewomen who were beholding and dyd sée all that passed in the battayle with the Gyant and by reason that all his armour was berayed and imbrued in bloud and neuer made cleane since the greate battayle that was fought in Grecia and againe that he had not his horse Cornerino they coulde not imagine or deuise who he shoulde bée but the Princesse Lyndabrides sayde within her selfe Oh how I would pardon and forgiue fortune all these trauailes and aduersities which she hath giuen vnto mée that my fortune might nowe bée so good and happie that this might be the myrrour of all knights or his brother Rosicleer or some of his friendes that might doe so much in this Iland as to carrie vs prisoners into Grecia But when that the knight of the Sunne dyd sée that faire and rubicâ—nd face of the Princesse he was not so greatlie troubled with the mightie and terrible blowes which he hadde receiued of the Gyant as he was for to see her who some times was gouernesse of his heart in that place wherwith he trembled and shaked striking himselfe vpon the brest as one that walketh by night in securitie and without feare discouereth vpon a sodaine some vision or fantasie before him And being somewhat amased he remained a good while beholding her without mouing of hand or foote that he thought all his sences were disturbed with the sodaine sight of this faire Princesse whose beautie was so rooted within his heart and the olde sore so festered that of truth it was very
hard and euell to be healed if that the wisedome of Lirgandeo and Artimidoro with others more auncienter then they had not put remedie in the same for that the valour of this precious princesse was such that the knight of the Sunne in her presence could neuer haue his frée libertie And being in this maze Andricardo the second brother came forth out at the castell gate all armed with very thick armour of hardened stéele and mounted vpon a mightie horse who was of no lesse stature and bignesse then the first but when that the knight of the Sunne did sée him he saide within himselfe that neuer in all his life he saw giants of so gallant proporcion nor of so great force strength as Langereon seemed to haue But when that Andricardo approched and saw his brother lye along vpon the earth thinking that he had bene dead it could not be immagined the great sorrow and griefe he receiued which caused him with so great furie and lightnesse as the arrow that is forced out of abowe to throw at the knight of the Sunne a mightie great boare speare which he brought in his hands that if his armour had not bene that of Meridian it had passed his bodie through and through to the other side for that it stroke him in the middest of his breast with so great strength that it made him to double his bodie backwards vpon his horse crouper and for that the stéelie pointe could not enter into his armour it doubled recoiled backe againe and the shéeuers flew into the aire making a greate noise but this good knight with great lightnesse did settle himselfe againe in his saddle and remembred that the faire Princesse Lyndabrides did behold him and therewith went against Andricandro with his hatchet in both his handes stroke him so mightie a blow vpon his healme that if it had chanced to be a full blow he had clouen him downe vnto the wast but it chanced somewhat aside in such sort that it cut awaie a péece of the helme with one of his cares and from thence descended his fine cutting hatchet along his breast cutting all that was before it till it came to the saddle bow the which it cloue asunder and cut his horse almost in two péeces so that he fell downe dead to the ground with his master and caught one of his legges vnder him in such sorte that what with the wound that hée had on his breast and the doubling of his legge hée could not by anie meanes arise but was the greatest amazed man in all the worlde to see that terrible and wonderfull blowe the which he had receiued and it séemed to bée done by a knight of the biggest force that was to bée found in anie parte of the vniuersall world Then Roboan who was all armed and at a windowe beholding the battaile when that he sawe his sonnes ouercome and in that perplexitie it coulde not be expressed the great sorow and griefe which he receiued for that he thought it a thing impossible that ten of the best knightes that were to be found in all the world were not able to do that which was there done and thinking in a short space to be reuenged for the same he mounted vpon a mightie horse and tooke a great speare in his hand and went forth at the Castle gate with so furious and terrible a semblance that the knight of the Sunne did verie well perceiue that he was of no lesse force and strength than his two sonnes for that he was higher of person and bigger of members and when that he came nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne with a hoarse terrible voice he sayd Knight tell me who art thou of such courage and hardinesse that hauing slaine my two sonnes darest abide mée in the field I am a knight said he that in the name of Iesus Christ in whom I doe beléeue and worship doe hope to destroie thée and all those that are obedient vnto thy lawe for that the diuine iustice beeing angrie at the great sinnes and euils by thée done in this Iland is now come to punish thée according vnto thy deserts in the déepest partes of hell Oh Goddesse the creator of all Gyantes and the bringer forth of all the fruites vppon the earth answered Roboan how canst thou suffer that one alone knight shall saie that he will destroie thy lawe and maketh a mocking stocke thereat In saying these wordes he spurred forwardes with his horse and stroke him such a blowe with his speare in the middest of his breast that he would haue sworne that the point with halfe the staffe would haue appeared at his back but it fell not out according vnto his thought for at the force thereof he made no more mention nor mouing thereat than if he had stroke against a tower but with his mightie hatchet he repaied him in such sort that a mightie great and thick shéeld that he had wherewith he would haue warded that blow he cut in two péeces and the blowe descended vppon his healme cutting the same and also a steele cap which hee had vnder it and made a cruell wound in his head and as they ioyned with their bodies verie nigh the one the other the Gyant laide holde with his armes about his necke thinking by his great force and strength to hoise him out of the saddie but he that was indued with no lesse strength than he and with more dexteritie laide hold on him by the wast held him so fast y â— by reason their horses pressed forwards they both â—ell to the ground and let go their holds rose vp vpon their feet The knight of the Sun drew out his sword the gyant a great fauchon so that they began the battaile a foot made so great noise y â— they were heard throughout the whole Iland and it séemed that there were in battaile together more then one hundreth knights Here was to be séene the great fortitude and strength of Roboan who dyd combat in such sort with the knight of the Sunne that he troubled him very much and many times his vnmeasurable blowes did put him in great perill and had brought him into much more danger if that the great strength and goodnesse of his armour and his great lightnesse had not holpen him There was also an other thing that dyd profit him verie much which was y â— great furie of his temerous blowes which made the Gyant to besturre himselfe from one part vnto an other for to cléere himselfe from the furie of them with more lightnesse then his bigge and great bodie required So that after halfe an houre that the battaile was begonne his vnwildy bodie not being able to indure anie longer waxed weake feeble by reason of certaine wounds which he had receiued out of the which issued verie much bloud in so great aboundance that all the ground was stained there with At which time the knight of the
Sunne considering that if the battaile shold goe forwards it wold not be well with Roboan and againe for that he had him and his sonnes in respect of strong and valiant knights for such would estéeme them if that he might cause them to leaue this great errour the which they had maintained a long time he there with all withdrew himselfe aback and lifting vp the beauer of his healme he said Heare mée a little what I will say vnto thée Roboan first before that this our battaile be finished thou shalt vnderstand that I doe estéeme thee and thy sonnes verie much as wel for the great valiantnesse that is in you as also you doe séeme vnto mee to be good and courteous knights my will and desire is that this our battaile betwixt vs may cease and that remedie be put in the curing these thy wounds and the wounds of thy sonnes in case that thou wilt leaue this law Gentilica wherewith thou hast bene so much deceiued and from this day forwardes not to obserue nor maintaine the euell and most cruell custome as hetherto thou hast For that if thou wilt sée and behold with the eyes of thy vnderstanding and consider of the law in the which thou doest liue thou shalt cléerely sée and perceiue the great errour and deceit wherein thou art wrapped Tell mee I pray thee Roboan who ought to be honored and worshipped for God but he alonely that created and made all things both ceâ—estiall and terrestriall and hath power ouer all things for to punish the wicked and to gratifie and reward the good and iust Well then if he alone that hath all this power ought to be estéemed honoured and worshipped for God what reason is there for to beleue that the Moone is the Goddesse Thou shalt vnderstand for her to shine and giue light hath neede of the cléerenesse and brighnesse of the Sunne without the which of her selfe she is verie darke and obscure and cannot be séene God created the high couloured Rubies the gréene Emeralds the blew Saphires the white Pearles the shining beams of the Sunne that giueth light vnto the Moone the Starres the gréene trées on the earth and her Plants the quietnesse of the heauens the roundnesse of the world and the meruailous course of the celestial mouings not for that we should occupie our wits and vnderstandings in these things but by the great beautie and sight of them our spirits may be moued vnto the beautie and loue of the creator and maker of all them from whom like as from a fountaine procedeth all that is faire and delectable vnto the sight of man In the meane time that the knight of the Sunne was saying these words Roboan was very attentiue taking as great pleasure at that he sayde as at his great force and strength and looking vpon himselfe he sawe that he was berayed with bloud and his armour broken in many places and his aduersarie not to haue receiued any wound but rather was more stronger and lighter then at the beginning which was vnto him apparant either to be slaine or to loose the victorie Likewise he well vnderstood to what ende the knight of the Sunne had spoken those words which did procéede more of vertue good will towards them then for any feare or dread he had in the conclusion of the battaile but by reason that he saw his sonnes lying a long on the ground in the field the eyes of his vnderstanding were so blinded that he could not sée the great profit which might come vnto him in leauing of his law and custome And said vnto the knight of the Sun that he should not speake any thing more therof vnto him for that he was determined to follow and take his fortune whether it were good or bad against him or with him And therewith they both retourned againe vnto the battaile for that they had somewhat breathed rested themselues it was then a thing worthie to be seene the strong and terrible blowes which the one stroke at the other For as I haue said Roboan was a stout and strong giant and sufficient of himselfe to destroye and kill one hundreth knights that should contend against him altogether in battaile The knight of the Sunne had great desire quickly to conclude and make an ende of that contension to sée what the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides dyd in the castell who being greatly amazed at his great force and strength could not immagine who it should be except it were the sonne of Trebatio he who had done great marnailes in his presence And he that should at this instant haue certified the faire princesse how that it was the knight of the Sunne you may well beleeue that he should haue caused her to receiue greater ioye and contentment then if they had giuen her all the whole world for a present as she who should not receiue so great griefe if her soule should depart from her bodie as she should receiue in departing from the countrie whereas doth remaine her knight of the Sunne who dyd so much against Roboan that in the ende of one houre that the battaele was begun he fell downe a long at his féete so séeble and weake by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that he had lost that till such time as the knight of the Sunne did pull of his healme and gaue him ayre he could not come againe vnto himselfe But when that he was in his remembraunce the knight of the Sunne florishing with his sworde aboue his head sayde with this sword will I seperate thy head and bodie a sunder if that thou wilt not amend thy lyfe and apart thy selfe from the law wherein thou hast liued hetherto The feare of death sayd Roboan shall not make mée to doe any thing that is against my honour but thy great vertue and force doth make mée to beléeue that thy law and faith is better then this the which I haue hetherto maintained in the which I doe confesse greatly to haue erred and bene deceiued And here I doe promise thée in the faith of whome I am and by the high bloud from whence I doe descend neuer to maintaine any longer this euill custome but will esteeme and worshippe for my God all the dayes of my life him whome thou hast tolde mée off who vniuersally did create all things Then the knight of the Sunne who was very glad and ioyfull for to heare him so say dyd healp him to arise from the ground and embrasing him with great loue they went both together vnto Andricardo and Langereon whom they found both a liue and without perill but that they were verie weake and féeble with the great quantitie of bloud the which they had lost but when the sonnes had vnderstood all that which had passed with their Father God had inspired his holy spirit within them in such sort that they were very well content therewith and premised him that from that day forwards
a knight and a ladie there was neuer so perfect loue as was betwixt these two or that more intirely dyd loue the one the other And yet not being satisfied nor well content with this but the more to be in securitie the one of the other I was as a meane betwixt them that this Lusiano should come on a night appointed vnto a window that had a grate of Iron out of the chamber of the saide dutches whereas he should finde her there the one vnto the other to assure the bands of Matrimonie by word and promise betwixt them in such sort that from that day forwards they might liue in more securitie It fell out that all was done as it was agréed that this gentle Lusiano in a darke night came vnto the windo whereas he found his faire Polisena and betwixt them was concluded the bandes of Matrimonie by word of mouth in my presence and in the presence of an other damsell of the Dutches who I doe beléeue is not cléere of this treason that I will tell you This being done the dutches for that she would not that they should be discouered or spyed dyd desire the gentle Lusiano that he would straight waies depart and she likewise did withdraw her selfe and caused the window to be shoot and being verie feareful that it should be discouered vnto the Quéene she neuer after durst speake vnto her knight neither be with him in companie in any suspicious place as one that was fully persuaded of the loue to be perfect that was betweene them in this sort all things dyd prosper verie well betweene these two louers but yet their loue was not so perfect as their fortune was contrarie to apart them from the ioye and glorie that they hoped to be betwixt them For that Sir knights you shall vnderstand that little more then halfe a yéere past there came vnto the court of the king Tiberio the Duke of Saxonia called Roberto the mightie for that he was so bigge of his bodie that he lacked but a little to be as bigge as a gyant and of so great force strength that there was not a knight to be found that man for man durst enter with him in battaile but alonely this gentle Lusiano who feared not the bignesse of his bodie neither his great fame At such time as this Duke Roberto came vnto the court the king gaue him good entertainment and dyd him great honour as well for y â— he was of high estate as for the great fame the which he had This Duke so soone as he had séene the faire Polisena was so farre in loue with her that straight waies he thought to haue her vnto wife which was the occasioÌ„ that straight waies he laboured all that euer he could to bring his determination to effect But she that nothing dyd more abhorre and hate as well for the loue which shée bare vnto Lusiano as for the boysterous and brauenesse of his person for that he had a fearce face and terrible countenance by no meanes she could not abyde him but dyd refuse his offer and many times she sayde vnto him in my presence that he should not come any more before her for that his presence should be greuous vnto her yet for all that would he not giue ouer his sute but still dyd contende to importune her in such sort that she was determined for to giue the King to vnderstande thereof if that I had not persuaded her to the contrarie Then the Duke Roberto seing that nothing whatsoeuer he dyd profited any whit for the obtaining his purpose and desire determined to séeke some other meanes how and which way he might make the Dutches for to doe by force that which now she would not of her good will I promise you I know not neither can I immagine how and which way the diuell did helpe him for to cause three knights of the court of the king for to suffer themselues and be 〈◊〉 such as were in bountie of armes as also of good crâ—dit 〈◊〉 their persons haue not their equalls to be found in all the land that I promise you the king would put them in trust with all his ritches he and all people had such conâ—idenâ—e in them The one is called Ricardo and Duke of Barbaria the other Anibardo Lord of the Albios and the third Carmelio Lord of Marehomandia all thrée subiects vnto the king Tiberio and norished and brought vp in his court from the time of their tender age Then Duke Roberto hauing these knights on his part watched his time and went before the king at such time as the Quéene was present and made a great complaint vnto them saying that of long time he loued with true and perfect loue the Dutches of Austria and how that by the good will and consent of them both they were made sure together so that he was her husband and she his wife But now since the conclusion of this matrimonie the Dutches doth denye it againe and hath sworne neuer to marrie with him not knowing wherefore she should be thus angrie with him to denie that which she before hath promised requesting him as his king and soueraigne Lord to doe him Iustice therein and to commaund the Dutches to perfourme the matrimonie the which she promised vnto him and to deliuer her into his power for that she was his naturall wife The king receiued no content but was very sorie at this embassage of the Duke for that the king hadde better good will to marrie her vnto the gentle Lusiaâ—o then vnto him but because he loued iustice and was a very good Christian he straight waies commauÌ„ded to come before him the faire Polisena and asked of her if it were true which the Duke had said Then she who vnderstood the diuelish intent of the Duke was so amazed that for a good space she could not speak a word wherat the king and the quéene had great suspicion but when that she came vnto her selfe with great anger she sayde vnto the Duke that he lyed in all that he hadde sayde and how that there neuer passed any such thing by woord nor in thought At which answere the Duke was very angrie furious whiâ—â— was the occasion y â— the king coÌ„manded the faire â—olisena for â—o depart 〈…〉 the Duke straight waies presented before the king the thrée knights before rehearsed who swore in the presence of the King that Duke Roberto and the faire Polisena were made sure together in so ample maner as man and wife ought to be and how that ouer and aboue all this they had bene together and that it was of a trueth for that they were present thereat in a garden that is next adioyning vnto the lodging of the Dutches. Ah lamentable case and a thing neuer the like before heard off that so great falsehood should be found in the mouthes of such thrée knights whose credit is so great with the king that he doth beléeue
in this Chapter following How that Rosicleer and Liriamandro and the gentle Lusâ—ano had battaile with the Duke Robertâ— and his companions Chap. 45. AFter that the Damsel of the Dutches was departed from Rosicleer and Liriamandro she went straight waies into the place appointed for the battaile whereas she kept her selfe verie close till such time as the Duke and his companions came foorth all foure together and armed with rich and glittering armor mounted vpon a great and gallant horse had with them so gallant semblance that they semed to be knights of great valour worthinesse as well in their armour as in their gallant proporcion In this â—ort they ridde about the place and when that the king Tiberio and the Quéene Augusta with all the principallest of the court were set in their places at the windowes of the mightie pallace then straight waies came farther the gentle Lusiano all armed in blew armour garnished about with golde and rich stoones which was conformable vnto his estate and was mounted vpon a mightie horse trapped with blewe veluet and bordered with gold and was in all things of so gallant and gentle disposition that ther was not one in all the place but when they saw him did receue great sorrow and griefe in such sorte that there was amongst them a great sound in maner of a lamentation for that they made rekoning that he was a dead man and there were fewe amongst them but would haue giuen a good part of their goods vpon condicion that the gentle Lusiano might cleere himselfe of that enterprise in especial the king and the Queene who loued him almost as well as though he had bene their owne sonne and would haue bene verie glad if y â— the prince 〈◊〉 would giue ouer that demaund for that they beleued y â— the Duke Roberto had reason on his side and again as it was likely they thought it impossible that he should escape from that battaile with his life Then the king commaunded that the Dutches should be brought foorth for to see and behold the battaile that was ordained for her sake who very much against her will was brought vnto a window of the pallas but when she saw her gentle spouse her heart was all couered with sorrow and griefe and as dead she fell down to the ground whereas her life had bene in great perill if that within a short space she had not bene comforted with the comming of the two knights So soone as the damsell saw that it was houre time with a trice she went vnto the In whereas she had left Rosicleere and Liriamandro and giuing them to vnderstand of that which had passed and how that they were readie to goe to battaile They straight waies mounted vpon their horses and with all the spéede possible came vnto the place at such time as the Iudges did part the Sunne and the field vnto the knight readie to leaue them to their battaile And as they pressed to enter into the place all the people dyd make them large and broade way for to passe as well to cleere themselues from the furie of their great hast as also for that they sawe them to be armed with so precious and rich armour and of so gallant proporcioÌ„ that straight waies they thought they came vpon some set purpose and determination When they came vnto the place whereas the knights were without speaking euer a woord they plased theÌ„selues the one on the one side and the other on the other side of the Prince with their speares in their hands readie for to goe vnto the battaile Then the Damsel who was well knowne went vnto the king and saide You shall vnderstand worthy and mightie king Tâ—berio that I this daye going forth of this citie because I would not see the death of the priâ—ce Lusiano by my good fortune I met with these two knights who wheÌ„ as they vnderstood by mée the occasioÌ„ of my sorow and griefe hauing no other occasion but as they are bound by reason and Iustice are come hether with mée and will defend the cause on the part and behalfe of my Ladie the Dutches. Therefore on their parts I am come vnto your highnesse to request you to graunt theÌ„ licence for the same for so much as they be strangers and would not erre in any thing that is dewtifull vnto your seruice The king who all this time dyd verie well behold the two knights and lyked them meruailously well was very glad and ioyefull at the words of the Damsell and hauing some hope more then before of the deliuerie of the Prince by the ayde of those two knights aunswered and sayde that the Duke and his companions were foure so that Lusiano might likewise take vnto him other thrée companions and that there was no reason in him for to denie them therefore the knights might doe what their pleasure was and that he should be well content therewith The Duke and his companions when that they sawe how that Lusiano had companions made no rekoning theroff for that if they were tenne of them they hoped before an houre were ended they would bring them vnto their endes But the Prince when that he sawe himselfe in the middest betwixt two such knights receiued no small contentment for that they séemed to be of high estate great renowme as well in their rich armour as of their gallant and stoute proporcions But in especiall Rosicleer for that there was not a knight in all that place but he had foure fingers vauntage of him in height so that it séemed vnto him that in all his life he had not séene a knight of a gallanter disposition And hauing no time for to speak vnto them he bowed downe his head in token of humilitie giuing them thankes for the great courtesie which they shewed vnto him At this time the houre was come and the trumpets began to sownde making a great noyse whereat the Duke his companions with their speares in their hands set spurs vnto their horses running with al furie possible The other thrée knights sâ—acked no time to runne and receiue them so great furie that it séemed a whirle winde and made their encouÌ„ters the one against the other in this sort The Duke Roberto and the gentle Lusiano made their encounters together all alone in such â—ort that by reason they were both â—rong and valiant knights they brake and sheuered their spâ—ares all to péeces but iustling together with their horse and bodies they both fell downe vnto the ground who with great lightnesse arose vpon their feete anâ— as mortall enimies made battaile together with their swords Liriamandro made his encounter with Ricardo who was a gallant knight And now whether it was for that he was in presence of his parents or by his great bountie and worthinesse Liriamandro ouerthrew the stout Ricardo horse and man to the ground And although by the force thereof he lost his stirrups yet lyke a good knight
friend euer after for that he saw them sore hurt he caused them to be cured laid in their heds whereas we wil leaue them to declare of other things that happened in this time is néedfull in this Hystorie for the accomplishing of the Prophesies past What happened vnto Rosicleer after his departure out of Constantinople Chap. 41. IN the beginning of the Chapter past it was told you how Rosicleer was departed from Constantinople as well to séeke the knight of the Sun his brother that was departed from the battaile past as also for to méete with Bramarant for that he had great desire for to combat with him for that he séemed to be the most strongest and mightiest Pagan that was to be found in all the Paganisme Now the Hystorie saith that after he was gone to sea in a little ship that he found in the port the passed storme and tempest did carrie them so farre that they were in sight of the strong Iland and béeing discouered the Mariners did declare vnto him whose it was and the euill custome that was there maintained Which when he heard it did giue him a great good will for to goe thether when that he came nigh vnto the Iland within a bow shoote hée sawe vpon the tops â—â—certaine mightie rockes amongst the cliffes a damsell which made great hast in running awaie giuing great shrikes and cries and following after her two mightie great and deformed Gyants with great desire to ouertake her the which when he sawe with great good will for to succour her he caused the small ship to bee carried to the shore whereas this worthie knight leaped a land and began a foote to climbe vpon those rockes with all the spéed possible he could not respecâ—ing the manifest perill that was ordained with them whome hée went to séeke but onelie that wherevnto hée was bound by iustice and honour And when that hée was thus ariued at the top of those rockes hee sawe come forth from amongest those cliffes the two Gyanted who brought betwixt them the Damsell that before hee sowâ— giuing great shrikes and lamentations because that shee was carried prisoner after that sorte These two Gyants were Rubero and Acorante the two younger sonnes vnto Roboan who ariuing at the Ilande had seene the damsell vpon the top of the rockes looking out if she could discouer anie ship wherein she might haue saued her selfe This damsell was the Quéene Iulia and damsell vnto the Princesse Lyndabrides who for to deliuer her selfe from the prison whether as they carried her mistres did fall into another daunger as ill whereas all her wisedome and cunning could not deliuer her although she dyd deuine and prophesie of the same who when the Gyants did sée her and that she séemed to be verie faire and well proportioned as of truth she was they straight waies followed after her and tooke her prisoner and carrying her in that sort as you haue heard Rosicleer did put himself before them and said What is the occasion that you doe carrie this Damsell prisoner in this sorte Then the Gyants who had not séene him before he spake vnto them did verie much behold him and séeing him of so gallant a proportion and so well armed the elder of the twaine called Rubero went against him and said Thou shalt be prisoner with her and when the time doth serue thou shalt haue 〈◊〉 answere of this thy bolde demand with the sacrifice that shall be done with both of you And as he would haue taken him in his armes Rosicleer stroke him with his close fist such a blow vppon the stomacke that he all to buckled the plaies of stéele wherwith he was armed without breath ouerthrew him backwards to the ground whose fall was so great that his brother Acorante thought verilie he had bene dead who like a rauening Lyon giuing a great shrike went against Rosicleer and with a great fauchon that he had hée stroke so strong a blowe vpon his shéeld that hée cut it cleane asunder in the middest and the fauchon descended downe vpon his helme and hauing no power against the inchauntment thereof it made him to stoupe with his knées to the ground Then Rosicleer drew out his sworde which was the same of so great value forged by the Quéene Iulia who was present wherewith he made him aunswere in such sorte that hée cloue his shéeld asunder that he had on his left arme and also his thicke and strong armour with the flesh vnto the hard bone Then betwixt them two began a braue and stout battaile striking the one the other so great and furious blowes that they were heard throughout all the whole Iland in such sorte that the Emperour Alycandro and those that were with him in the high Castle of Roboan were greatlie amazed and could not imagine what it should bée After this sort their combat endured betwixt them more than a quarter of an houre in the end whereof the fine cutting sword of the Quéene Iulia being flourished by the furious arme of Rosicleer brought the stâ—ut Acorante into that perplexitie that he was all berayed in bloud with the great number of wounds that was giuen him on all parts that if he had not bene so stout and couragious of so great force he could not haue sustained himselfe vpon his féete the which was to the contrarie in Rosicleer that although the blowes of the Gyant were verie strong and caused him many times to stoupe with his hands and knees to the ground and gaue him great paine and griefe whereas he dyd fasten anie blowe yet for all that his excellent armour dyd assure him from wounds and his great lightnesse did make him to strike many of his blowes in vaine Thus in the meane time that Acorante was so feeble and saint with the losse of bloud and waxed wearie Rubeo the other brother was come vnto himselfe againe and remembring what had passed him and seeing the greate perill whereinto his brother was nowe brought with a trice hée arose vp from the ground and taking his sworde in his hande hée began to laie vppon Rosicleer such greate and mightie blowes that by reason hee entered in a fresh and the other béeing samewhat wearie hée put him into great extremitie so that all his valour and worthinesse was verie néedfull at that instant Then when the Quéene Iulia saw how that that knight did all alone combat for her against the two Gyantes she straight waies called to remembrance that which many daies before she had prophesied and beholding the swoorde which the knight had she knew it to bee the same which she had forged with her owne hands and then she thought all her â—rauaâ—le to be well bestowed hauing great hope that the knight should haue the victorie against those Gyantes for that she sawe him verie nimble and light and that hée wounded the Gyants in many places of their bodies and all the ground was beraied with the bloud
that ranne out of their wounds but by reason that they were so boistrous and so stout they so doubled their blowes with so great furie vpon Rosicleer that it had bene sufficient to haue hewen a rocke in péeces so that in a short time they made him verie faint and wearie brusing his flesh and bones although their swordes could not enter nor cut his inchanted armor And of truth if that this battaile had endured long hée had béene brought into the greatest perill that euer he saw himselfe in in all his life for that these two Gyants were young-men and the most strongest that were to be found amongst all Gyants But yet at this instant Acorante was so weak and féeble by the losse of much bloud that he coulde not stand on his féete but fell downe to the ground as though he had béene dead Then he finding himselfe alone with Rubero the battaile was more indifferent the one did charge the other verie stronglie striking whereas they thought they should doe most harme each to his aduersarie but Rubero for the death of his brother was so full of wrath and ire that he made little account of the blowes that Rosicleer did strike him although his â—ine cutting sworde had so sore wounded him in many partes that his death could not bée long dilated by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that ranne out of them These Gyantes had certaine knightes which alwayes went with them who at this verie instant came vnto the same place whereas they made their battaile but yet in anie manner of wise they durst not helpe their Lordes for that many times before they had plagued them and giuen them warning that whensoeuer they were in battaile with equall knightes that none of them shoulde aide or succour them for which occasion they stoode still and were in quiet till such time as they sawe one of their Lordes lie along vpon the ground as though he had bene dead and the other so sore wounded that he could not long indure neither could they anie longer refraine themselues but all together who were more than fifteene all wel armed went against Rosicleer and began to charge him with verie thicke and strong blowes but Rubero when he sawe this did put himselfe before them and cried out that they should departe and let him alone but they would not retire but still pressed on all that euer they coulde Then he returned against them with his sword and did so much that against their will hee made them to retire Then would he haue returned againe vnto the battaile but Rosicleer liâ—t vp the vizor of his heâ—me and sayd God forbid that I should be ouercome at thy hands more than at one time for this which at this time thou hast vsed with me hath rendered mee so much that I will put my selfe wholie into thy power â—or to doe with mée according to thy pleasure vpon this condition that you giue vnto this Damsell free and whole libertie who was the occasion of this battaile which hath béen begun and continued betwixt vs. You shall vnderstand that all the sonnes of Roboan were by nature well conditioned and this Rubero the third sonne was the best of them all who acknowledging the greate vantage that Rosicleer had of him although all the knights had hâ—lpen him and how that his wordes which hee hadde spoken proceeded of great vertue hée then vnlaced his healme and sayd Let not my fortune permit that against him who hath so great vauntage on me as well in vertue as in strength that I make anie more contention or farther 〈◊〉 for that in the ende both in the one and in the other I cannot choose but néedes must bée ouercome and loose the victorie This damsell is thine and thou hast wonne her and nowe looke what is thy pleasure to be done with vs for that all shall be accomplished as you wil command Then Rosicleer did embrace him with great loue and both of them together went to helpe vp Acorante who was so féeble that he could not moue himselfe but when that they had pulled off his healme and giuen him aire hée began to come better vnto himselfe and gather some strength Then the Quéene Iulia with a péece of a vaile which she had bound vp his wounds and stanched the bloud by vertue of a stone which she had in a ring as one that in all things was a damsell verie wise and of great discretion When all this was done the Quéene sayd vnto Rosicleer Happie and fortunate knight if you doe well remember the condition wherewith you got this sword that you now possesse in great Britaine it was that you should combat with two Gyants together for the deliuerie of a Damsell When Rosicleer heard these wordes being greatlie amazed how she should come to the knowledge thereof he said I doe well remember the same Well then said she now may you well vnderstand and sée how that the condition is well accomplished for that you haue had the battaile with these two Gyants for to deliuer me that am the Quéene Iulia she who with her owne handes did forge the sword that you now haue at your girdle hauing experience before how much it should profit you in this battaile for my deliuerie Good Ladie saide Rosicleer what fortune hath brought so wise and high a Damsell in this sorte into this Countrie That fortune sayd the Quéene that could ouerthrowe the mightie Alycandro from the high throne wherevnto he was exalted and bring him to bée prisoner â—oyntlie with the Princesse Lyndabrides his daughter in the power of two Gyants who carryed them yesterdaie vnto the high Castle that standeth vppon yonder mountaine This is shée that no force nor humane wisedome is able for to deliuer from the subiection of her tumbling and tourning whéele And as I came with the Princesse thinking for to escape from the prison whether as they carryed her I ran away secretly and put my selfe amongst these Rocks but yet in the ende I chaunced to fall into a daunger no lesse perillous then that out of the which I thought to haue escaped At which words Rosicleer was greatly amazed and saide is it possible to be true that the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides are prisoners It is of trueth sayde the Quéene for that two Gyants did carrie them vnto yonder castell Well then let vs goe thether out of hand sayd Rosicleer for with a verie good will I will aduenture my life for to â—et at libertie so high personages It shall not be nedefull said Rubero for that those two who did carrie theÌ„ be our bretheren and sonnes vnto Roboan our Father therefore let vs go straight waies thether for by your intercession they and all those that be prisoners in the castell shal be set at libertie Rosicleer receiued great contentment at that which Rubero had sayde and gratifying him they all together went towards the castell and their knights did carrie Acorante